US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that the US-Iran ceasefire is not over despite this week's attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the US effort to guide vessels out of the strait is temporary.

The Project Freedom to guide ships out of the strait is separate and distinct from ongoing military operations in the region.

Hegseth said given the administration’s determination that the ceasefire between the US and Iran remains in place, President Donald Trump does not need to seek approval from Congress for the war to continue, said a CNN report.

“Our view is … that ultimately, with the ceasefire, the clock stops. If it were to restart, that would be the president’s decision,” Hegseth said during a Pentagon press briefing.

“That option is always there,” Hegseth said of the potential for combat operations to continue. “And Iran knows that, and that’s why, you know, their choices in Project Freedom are important.”

“The president retains the opportunity and the capabilities – more capabilities than we had at the start of this – to restart major combat operations if necessary. If Iran is not willing to follow through on its side of the bargain or make a deal, then the War Department is postured, locked, loaded and ready to go. We hope it doesn’t have to go in that direction,” Hegseth said.

Meanwhile, Iran has attacked US forces more than 10 times since the ceasefire went into effect, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Dan Caine said. 

Reacting to US moves to guide vessels, Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in a message posted on X, said: "The new equation of the Strait of Hormuz is in the process of being solidified. The security of shipping and energy transit has been jeopardised by the United States and its allies through the violation of the ceasefire and the imposition of a blockade; of course, their evil will diminish.

"We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America; while we have not even begun yet."