U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine confirmed the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is not over, even as U.S. forces guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Only two American-flagged vessels have passed so far, with over 1,550 ships and 22,500 mariners still stranded. Hegseth described the mission as temporary, involving 15,000 service members and more than 100 aircraft. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the major U.S. military operation, "Operation Epic Fury," concluded successfully on Feb. 28, but emphasized peace is not yet achieved and Iran must halt its strait blockade. Rubio also announced he will travel to Rome and Vatican City to ease tensions between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV, who has called for peace and dialogue, a stance Trump has misrepresented.