U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper urged South Korea on Thursday (local time) to participate in the U.S. military's 'Project Freedom' to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

In a press conference held at the Pentagon that morning, Esper responded to a question asking if there were any signs of South Korea heeding President Donald Trump's social media request for participation in Project Freedom, saying, "I hope so" and "I hope South Korea steps up."

Esper added, "I hope Japan steps up, I hope Australia steps up, I hope Europe steps up. We are not just waiting for them to do so. We want to create conditions for them to take over."

He continued, "President Trump made it clear that 'these are your ships. You must play a role in defense.' We really want them to do so."

When asked if the U.S. military was in contact with South Korea regarding a South Korean vessel reportedly attacked by Iran, Esper replied, "CENTCOM is communicating with the vessel" and "We see such targeted attacks as reflecting Iran's indiscriminate behavior."

The bulk carrier 'Mokpo', operated by South Korean shipping company HMM, experienced an explosion in its engine room while docked off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) early Monday, Middle East time.

Project Freedom is an operation planned primarily to safely escort convoys passing through the Strait of Hormuz. As the vessel was docked at the time and not participating in U.S.-led navigation operations, it appears to have been outside the scope of direct U.S. military protection.

U.S. Military Establishes 'Strong Red, White, and Blue Dome'... Blocks Six Vessels

Esper stated, "This is a direct gift from the United States to the world. We have established a strong red, white, and blue dome in this region. In fact, as soon as Project Freedom began, six vessels attempted to break the blockade from Iranian ports but all turned back."

He added, "U.S. destroyers are on standby 24/7 with support from hundreds of fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and surveillance aircraft, providing round-the-clock surveillance for peaceful commercial vessels. Of course, Iranian vessels are excluded. Therefore, our airtight blockade remains fully effective."

Project Freedom is 100% Separate from Operation Epic Fury

Esper clarified that U.S. forces would not enter Iranian territorial waters or airspace, stating that Project Freedom and Operation Epic Fury are "100% separate and distinct."

This appears to be an explanation aimed at preventing Democrats from attempting to obstruct Trump's military operations by invoking the War Powers Act, by making it clear that Project Freedom is not an act of war.

Esper explained, "We do not want conflict, but we cannot allow Iran to impede innocent nations and their goods in international waters. Iran, as the clear perpetrator, harasses civilian vessels, threatens sailors of all nationalities without discrimination, and weaponizes a strategic choke point for its own economic benefit, or at least attempts to do so. Iran has harassed ships for too long and has fired upon civilian tankers from all nations."

Iran is Bewildered... Hundreds of Ships from Countries Worldwide Lined Up Waiting

Esper stated, "We know that the Iranians are bewildered by this. They claimed to have control of the strait, but they do not. So, U.S. ships, leading with merchant vessels and warships, took the initial risks, as Americans always do."

He announced, "Two U.S. merchant vessels and U.S. destroyers have already safely transited the strait, demonstrating that the passage is clear. And now, hundreds of ships from countries around the world are lined up waiting to pass."

Esper added, "CENTCOM, along with partner nations, is actively communicating with hundreds of ships, shipping companies, and insurers. All these ships from around the world want to escape the trap set by Iran in which they were caught."

He continued, "We know that Iran is bewildered by the fact that our blockade is maintained and that we can allow ships to pass. We will help the world pass ships."

Iran Attacks U.S. Military 10 Times After Ceasefire... Ceasefire Not Broken

Army General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated on April 8 that since the ceasefire announcement, Iran had "fired on merchant vessels nine times, seized two container ships, and attacked our forces more than 10 times." He added, "Currently, it is below the threshold for resuming large-scale combat operations."

General Milley reported, "As a result of Iran's indiscriminate attacks across its territory, more than 1,550 merchant vessels carrying 22,500 crew members are trapped in the Arabian Gulf and unable to pass." He also stated that Iran had attacked Oman once and the UAE three times, the latter including an attack on the Fujairah oil terminal, which was successfully repelled.

Milley reported that Iran "launched cruise missiles, drones, and small boats" at U.S. forces, but "U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopters and Army AH-64 Apache helicopters successfully repelled these threats," adding, "Today has been quieter so far."

When asked "Is the ceasefire over?", Esper replied, "No, the ceasefire is not over." He explained, "Ultimately, this is a separate and independent operation, and we anticipated some initial confusion, which has indeed occurred."

He stated that the U.S. military is "aggressively defending" and added, "Iran knows this, and ultimately the President will make a decision if this escalates into a ceasefire violation."

Esper reiterated that Project Freedom is not a war operation but a humanitarian rescue operation, stating, "This is about the Strait. This is about freedom of navigation. This is about international waterways. This is about the free flow of commerce."

Look at North Korea! Iran is Using North Korea's Strategy

Esper mentioned North Korea when explaining why President Trump's decision to confront Iran was the right one.

He said, "They were building a conventional defense based on a massive number of missiles and power that no one would dare challenge! Think of North Korea! This is the North Korean strategy. We have an overwhelming amount of conventional power. You can do nothing about it. And in the background, we will develop more nuclear capability."

Esper emphasized, "So the will was still there. President Trump had the courage to say that we must dismantle that conventional power and confront it."

He continued, "This is the current situation. The nuclear facilities are being monitored 24/7, and we will ensure that they abandon their nuclear ambitions and nuclear capabilities through any means, preferably through negotiation, and that we can verify every step of that process."

He declared, "This was President Trump's core concern. He has set Iran back far more than any other president."

Esper added that President Trump "broke the terrible deal that would have given Iran a nuclear bomb," "dealt with it through Operation Midnight Hammer," and "we are monitoring the current situation and are ultimately confident that Iran will never possess nuclear weapons."

NNP=Chief Reporter Hong Sung-goo / Special Correspondent for this newspaper NNP info@newsandpost.com