US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned Iran that it faces a choice between accepting a deal or confronting continued blockade and potential military strikes, cautioning that failure to act could result in “bombs dropping on infrastructure and power and energy.”Speaking at a Pentagon briefing on Thursday, Hegseth said the blockade would remain in place “for as long as it takes,” while urging Iran to make a decision “for the betterment” of its people and the world. He warned that if “Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure and power and energy.”Reinforcing the message, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine said, “I’d like to emphasise during this pause that the United States joint force remains postured and ready to resume major combat,” he said, adding that operations could restart “at literally a moment’s notice.”The blockade, now in its third day, has already disrupted maritime traffic, with multiple merchant vessels turned away. US forces say they have established full control over shipping linked to Iranian ports as part of efforts to isolate the country’s economy by cutting off key trade routes. Military officials stated they are maintaining a high level of readiness to enforce compliance.Caine clarified that the restrictions are wide-ranging. “Let me be clear: this blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports,” he said. He described the move as a “blockade of Iran’s ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz,” with enforcement taking place both within Iran’s territorial waters and in international waters.Hegseth described the current approach as measured, adding, “This blockade is the polite way that this can go.”Highlighting economic pressure, Hegseth said Iran’s energy sector is already being affected, noting that while the “energy industry is not destroyed yet,” the “US blockade shutting down exports” is significantly limiting oil revenues. He added that the United States is also “maximizing economic pressure” through financial measures.Addressing Iran directly, Hegseth said, “We know which military assets you have moved and where you have taken them.” “You (Iran) don’t have a navy or real domain awareness. You can’t control anything,” added Hegseth.He also emphasised that the US is prepared for further action, stating that the country is “reloading with more power than before” and that the message to Iran remains clear- “we are watching you.”
