Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. “Project Freedom” operation in the Strait of Hormuz is defensive. Rubio states that the purpose is to provide guidance and military support to commercial vessels transiting near Iran, a route that has been subject to persistent tensions. He characterizes the effort as protective rather than offensive and says U.S. forces would use force only in response to an attack. According to Rubio, the United States is not seeking to initiate hostilities, and its rules of engagement are designed to limit actions to self-defense. The clarification comes as the United States moves to bolster security for shipping in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. The administration’s framing centers on ensuring safe passage for commercial traffic, while signaling that the operation is intended to reduce risk rather than escalate conflict. Both outlets report Rubio’s emphasis that the operation is defensive and that U.S. personnel would fire only if fired upon.