The United States is “not looking for a fight” over the Strait of Hormuz, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday while warning of a forceful response if shipping lanes are targeted. Addressing a press briefing at the Pentagon, Hegseth said the United States was “not looking for a fight” in the Gulf but warned that any Iranian attack on commercial shipping or US forces would be met with a strong response. “We’re not looking for a fight. But Iran also cannot be allowed to block innocent countries and their goods from an international waterway,” he told reporters. “If you attack American troops or innocent commercial shipping, you will face overwhelming and devastating American firepower,” the Pentagon chief said. The US Secretary of War stressed that no US forces would enter Iranian waters or airspace under the operation. He also said “Project Freedom” is “100% separate and distinct” from Operation Epic Fury. Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) warned that Tehran will be “blown off the face of the Earth” if they attack US vessels escorting stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz. While speaking to Fox News, the US President said that the US military installations around the world were fully equipped and prepared to tackle the Iranian threat. “We have the best equipment. We have stuff all over the world. We have these bases all over the world. They’re all stocked up with equipment. We can use all of that stuff, and we will, if we need it,” he told the news outlet.