Pete Hegseth said the US would maintain its naval blockade of Iran "for as long as it takes" and keep open the option of renewed airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure, power and energy installations.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday reportedly warned Tehran that American forces were “locked and loaded” to resume strikes if Iran rejected a negotiated settlement, even as Pakistani mediators reported a breakthrough on key sticking points in marathon ceasefire talks.
Speaking at a Pentagon press briefing alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, Hegseth said the US would maintain its naval blockade of Iran “for as long as it takes” and keep open the option of renewed airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure, power and energy installations.
“I pray you choose a deal which is within your grasp for the betterment of your people and for the betterment of the world,” Hegseth told reporters. “In the meantime, the war department is locked and loaded.”
