Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Face the Nation that the U.S. is “already doing things I can’t talk about” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, signaling covert operations underway as the Trump administration pursues a deal with Iran expected to be signed within days.
In the interview aired June 14, 2026, Hegseth discussed the military pressure that has driven Iran to the negotiating table, citing what he called a “chain of events” beginning with 45 days of combat operations that degraded Iran’s military capabilities.
“We are doing things I can’t- we’re already talking, we’re already doing things I can’t talk about on this program, and- and that to ensure that safe passage happens as quickly as possible,” Hegseth told host Margaret Brennan, according to the CBS News transcript.
Hegseth emphasized that Project Freedom, the U.S. Navy escort operation launched in May, has already demonstrated American control of the waterway. “We’ve run 125 million barrels of oil through the straits, and Iran couldn’t do anything about it,” he stated, adding that no Iranian ships have successfully transited the U.S. blockade.
The upcoming memorandum of understanding would extend the existing ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran and establish a 60-day negotiating period focused on nuclear restrictions and reopening commercial shipping, according to multiple sources including Reuters and the Institute for the Study of War. The deal includes commitments from Iran to restore shipping to pre-war levels and from the U.S. to lift oil sanctions, though timing remains subject to performance-based conditions.
Hegseth framed the military operations as foundational to the diplomatic breakthrough. The blockade, which has been described as “impenetrable” by the defense secretary, combined with two rounds of bombing campaigns, created the conditions for Iran to seek negotiations rather than continue military confrontation, he explained.
When asked about clearing mines from the strait—a significant obstacle to full reopening—Hegseth said the U.S. could accomplish that within 30 days if Iran creates a “permissive environment” by ceasing hostile actions and complying with deal terms. “The ball is in Iran’s court at some level,” he said.
Sources
- CBS News — Full transcript of Hegseth’s Face the Nation interview, June 14, 2026, including statements on covert operations and Project Freedom’s oil transit figures
- Reuters — Reporting on the Iran deal framework including Strait reopening commitments and sanctions relief
- Institute for the Study of War — Analysis of the two-part agreement structure and Strait reopening provisions
