Secretary of War Pete Hegseth revealed Tuesday that six ships attempted to bypass the U.S. military’s blockade of Iranian ports during the operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but they were all turned around.

“In fact, six ships tried to run the blockade out of Iranian ports as Project Freedom commenced, and they were all turned around,” Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, March 31, 2026.  (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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