Hegseth: US ‘Not Looking for a Fight’ with Iran, but Warns ‘We Will Prevail’

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth struck a conciliatory yet firm tone on Tuesday, stating that the United States is “not looking for a fight” with Iran even as the two nations exchange fire in the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the Pentagon remains on “full alert.”

Speaking at a press conference, Hegseth attempted to de-escalate the rhetoric of the past 24 hours while still leaving the door open for further military action if Iran continues to target American or commercial vessels.

“We are not looking for a fight, we want a diplomatic and peaceful resolution for this conflict.”
— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War

The comments come a day after U.S. forces destroyed six Iranian fast-attack boats and intercepted a barrage of cruise missiles and drones launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after two US Navy destroyers transited the strait .

💥 ‘We Will Prevail’: Hegseth’s Warning

Despite his desire for peace, Hegseth paired the statement with a sharp warning. He reiterated that President Donald Trump’s “Project Freedom” mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping will continue.

“Don’t let our preference for peace be mistaken for weakness. We will stand by our forces, and we will support them. We are not looking for a fight, but if this regime and their proxies continue to attack, we will prevail.”
— Pete Hegseth

The remarks signal a dual-track strategy: the administration wants to lower the temperature after Monday’s clash while simultaneously signaling that it will not be deterred from its core mission of breaking Iran’s blockade of the strait.

The risk remains that both sides will continue to fire warning shots until an accidental or intentional exchange escalates into a full-scale conflict that neither side wants but neither seems able to avoid .

🕊️ Diplomacy in the Background

Even as Hegseth spoke, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran is still engaged in back-channel communications with Washington through Pakistani intermediaries.

“We have received the US response to our proposal (to end the war). We are reviewing it. The ball is in the United States’ court to choose the path of diplomacy or the continuation of a confrontational approach.”
— Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister

The 14-point peace proposal, which reportedly would postpone all discussion of Iran’s nuclear program until after the war ends, the strait is reopened, and the blockade is lifted, is still “under review” in Tehran. President Trump said on Sunday that he was “reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us” but “can’t imagine that it would be acceptable” .

📊 The ‘Project Freedom’ Flotilla Builds

Despite the competing military and diplomatic signals, the US mission to reopen the strait continues to gain momentum. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that additional merchant vessels are preparing to transit the waterway under the “Project Freedom” umbrella.

The Pentagon has committed 15,000 troops, more than 100 aircraft, warships, and drones to the effort.

Hegseth’s “not looking for a fight” messaging might be aimed at persuading neutral commercial shipping firms—and their insurers—that “Project Freedom” is a safe bet after Monday’s successful transit of two US-flagged vessels. By downplaying the risk of war, the Pentagon hopes to lower insurance premiums and encourage more ships to move.

For now, the US is threading a needle: projecting enough strength to deter Iranian attacks while giving Tehran enough diplomatic cover to back down without losing face. Whether Iran will take the off-ramp—or escalate further—will determine the war’s next phase.

📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers

Follow Reflecto News for continuous updates on US-Iran diplomacy, the Strait of Hormuz crisis, and all breaking news from Washington and Tehran. This article is the intellectual property of Reflecto News.