U.S. plans to reopens the strait as tariff war heats up

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke on Tuesday and insisted the fragile ceasefire with Iran remains intact even as U.S. forces engage in heavy combat to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The mission, dubbed "Project Freedom," faced an immediate baptism by fire from Iranian missiles and drones, but defense officials report the tide has begun to turn as U.S. destroyers successfully escort merchant vessels through the waterway. Meanwhile, President Trump is escalating his "America First" economic agenda, setting the stage for a major confrontation with some of the United States' closest trading partners. From Europe to Canada, foreign leaders are scrambling to respond to new 25% tariff threats on autos and metals—measures the president insists are necessary to force manufacturing back to U.S. soil.