Cargo ship struck by projectile in strait of Hormuz as US insists ceasefire holding — BBC News

[0:00] The U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has insisted that the ceasefire with Iran continues [0:04] despite exchanges of fire between both countries. [0:08] President Trump's Project Freedom to reopen the Strait of Hormuz began yesterday [0:12] and aims to use the U.S. military to guide some of the stranded cargo ships, [0:16] of which there are over 1,500, out of the key waterway. [0:20] Two ships have got through so far. [0:22] But Iran insists it controls the strait still, [0:25] and as well as firing missiles and drones at military and commercial ships, [0:29] also attacked the UAE earlier today. [0:32] And there are reports tonight that a cargo ship has been struck. [0:36] With more, here's Sarah Smith from Washington. [0:40] The U.S. urgently wants to get international shipping moving through the Strait of Hormuz. [0:45] The economic damage is being felt around the world, [0:48] so America needs to fix this problem caused by its attack on Iran two months ago. [0:54] The military has launched Project Freedom to try to reopen the waterway, [0:57] and they claim Iran is no longer in control of the strait. [1:00] As a direct gift from the United States to the world, [1:05] we have established a powerful red, white, and blue dome over the strait. [1:09] The normal traffic separation scheme lanes in the strait for maritime vessels are shown here in white. [1:15] The black lines show the apparent Iranian guidance for non-hostile shipping, [1:19] with the likely U.S. route shown here in red. [1:22] But only two tankers made it through that way yesterday. [1:25] It was 130 a day before the war. [1:28] America's top diplomat says the U.S. is not restarting hostilities. [1:34] This is a defensive operation. I want to reiterate that point. [1:37] This is important to understand. [1:38] If no shots are fired at these ships and no shots are fired at us, we're not firing shots. [1:43] But if we're fired on, we will respond, and we will respond with lethal efficiency. [1:47] Let me show you around my vessel. [1:50] Captain Rahman Kapoor and his crew of 23 are stranded on this oil tanker, [1:55] along with 1,600 other ships in the strait. [1:58] You know, my wife calls me every day, and my kids ask, [2:02] Dad, when are you coming home? [2:04] So I tell them, we are safe. [2:06] But truth is, we are civilians, caught between knives, you know. [2:10] I appeal to all the authorities, please de-escalate the war, [2:14] and don't make us seafarers or collateral victims there. [2:18] For the second day in a row, the United Arab Emirates said it was attacked by Iranian missiles and drones. [2:24] They sparked a fire at an oil facility yesterday. [2:27] But neither this or cruise missiles launched at American ships are being considered violations of the ceasefire. [2:33] They don't like playing games with us. [2:35] President Trump does not appear eager to resume a bombing campaign on Iran. [2:40] What do they need to do to violate the ceasefire? [2:45] Well, you'll find out, because I'll let you know. [2:48] They know what to do, and they know what to do. [2:50] And they know what not to do, more importantly, actually. [2:53] The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament has said, [2:56] We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, [3:00] while we have not begun yet. [3:02] We see ourselves as part of this negotiation as well. [3:05] We negotiate with bombs. [3:06] The US Defence Department often releases edited videos that make the war in Iran look like a video game, [3:12] and they claim military dominance. [3:14] But the economic pressure on America is taking its toll. [3:18] This highly unpopular war is damaging Donald Trump politically. [3:23] He knows that, and so does Iran. [3:26] Sarah Smith, BBC News, Washington. [3:28] Well, our international editor Jeremy Bowen is with me here. [3:32] So, Jeremy, a ceasefire of a sort continues, clearly very fragile. [3:36] And then there are reports tonight of a cargo ship being struck. [3:40] Yes, indeed. [3:40] I've got it here, some information. [3:42] There's very little information about it, I have to say. [3:44] The UK Maritime Authority says a cargo vessel has been struck, quote, [3:48] by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. [3:51] So, the red, white and blue dome that Mr. Hegseth was talking about there is clearly not quite as strong and robust as he is claiming. [4:02] The ceasefire is four weeks old. [4:05] It's showing its age. [4:07] It's showing its age because there's no real diplomatic process backing it up, [4:11] trying to make some progress towards the deal. [4:14] Both sides clearly seem to want a deal. [4:16] Interesting, the Americans are not saying the ceasefire has gone, [4:19] because they do want a deal. [4:21] The problem is they want different deals. [4:23] They haven't found a way of meeting in the middle on all of this. [4:27] As for these attacks that are going on, the Emiratis are very concerned about it. [4:32] The Iranians absolutely deny that they have hit anything. [4:36] And they've warned the UAE. [4:38] They've said that Iran would inflict a decisive and regret-inducing response if it is attacked, [4:45] if Iran is attacked from UAE territory. [4:48] So, I mean, essentially now, with this long-drawn-out process, [4:53] this is territory for misperception, for miscalculation, [4:57] for the two sides putting pressure on each other. [5:01] There's a lot of tension. [5:02] And in that kind of environment, with projectiles, as we've been hearing, [5:06] flying around, ships flying around, warships there as well, [5:09] it is a dangerous situation. [5:12] And with so much military power in the Gulf, American military power, [5:17] and the Iranians saying they're ready to hit back and will continue to hit [5:20] if ships go down non-designated pathways without permission, [5:27] I think all this means that a serious escalation back towards all-out war [5:33] is potentially only one serious incident away. [5:39] Jeremy, thanks very much. [5:40] ... [5:45] ... [5:46] ... [5:51] ... [5:52] ... [5:55] – [5:56] –