US Claims Iran Ceasefire Holds Despite Tehran’s Missile Strikes on Gulf Allies

The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is far from secure, despite official assurances. On Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared at the Pentagon that the ceasefire “is not over,” even as Iran fired missiles and drones targeting the UAE and Oman. These attacks came in response to a US-led effort to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint Tehran has sought to block.

Hegseth emphasized that the US “is not looking for a fight,” insisting American forces would not enter Iranian waters or airspace during the escort mission. “We’d prefer this to be a peaceful operation,” he said, but warned that US forces are “locked and loaded” to defend their personnel and assets without hesitation.

Meanwhile, US and Israeli officials are reportedly coordinating plans for a new round of strikes aimed at pressuring Iran into making further concessions in ongoing negotiations. According to an Israeli source cited by CNN, this campaign would focus on Iran’s energy infrastructure and senior officials. These strikes were largely prepared before the ceasefire was declared last month, suggesting Washington and Tel Aviv have been ready to escalate at a moment’s notice.

President Donald Trump, speaking separately, claimed that if war resumed, US objectives could be achieved within two to three weeks. Yet he downplayed the broader goals of Israel’s campaign, such as ending Iran’s ballistic missile program and curbing its funding of regional proxies. Instead, Trump framed the conflict narrowly around preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, dismissing missile threats as secondary.

Hegseth also pushed back against narratives that Trump is being unduly influenced by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. “There’s only one hand on the wheel ultimately,” he said, acknowledging Israel’s concerns but asserting US leadership of the campaign.

Iran, for its part, blamed Washington’s “military adventurism” for provoking its strikes on Gulf states. A senior Iranian military official told state TV that the US initiative to break Tehran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz forced Iran’s hand, describing the US military’s actions as illegal and provocative.

The UAE condemned Iran’s missile and drone attacks as a “dangerous escalation” and “unacceptable transgression,” underscoring the heightened tensions in the region.

US Central Command Chairman Dan Caine echoed Hegseth’s message of restraint, stating Iran’s attacks so far have not crossed the threshold to restart major combat operations. But he warned that US forces remain ready to escalate if ordered.

This dangerous dance of missiles, diplomacy, and covert planning reveals a volatile standoff where ceasefire talk masks a simmering readiness for renewed war. The US claims to seek peace and stability while preparing to intensify strikes, signaling a reckless gamble with regional security and global consequences. We will keep tracking how this administration’s hawkish posture risks dragging the world back into full-scale conflict.