The United States is reloading with more power than before, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned Iran during a Pentagon briefing on Thursday, adding that the country will maintain maritime blockade for “as long as it takes”.
He said that the US forces will resume the military strikes on Tehran if the country rejects a peace deal.”For as long as it takes, we will maintain this successful blockade,” Hegseth said. “US is reloading with more power than before.”
The country has postured its forces to restart combat operations if Iran does not agree to a peace deal, the Secretary of War said. “Message to Iran is we are watching you.”
General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasised that during this pause that the US joint force remains postured and ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moment’s notice.
“Let me be clear: this blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports. The US action is a blockade of Iran’s ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Enforcement will occur inside Iran’s territorial seas and in international waters,” Caine said, adding that US forces will actively pursue any Iranian flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran.
“You Iran, can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran,” he said. “But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.”
Hegseth also mentioned that China has assured Washington that it would not send weapons to Iran during the ceasefire phase.
“Our capabilities are not the same, this is not a fair fight. We know what military assets you are moving and where. While you are digging out of devastated facilities, we are only getting stronger,” US Secretary of War said while delivering a briefing on Operation Epic Fury. Iran is recovering remaining launchers and missiles without the ability to replace them as the country does not have any defence industry to replenish capabilities.
In a stark warning to Tehran, he said, “We, are reloading with more power than ever before, with better intelligence. As you move, you expose yourself to our watchful eye.”
The US is “locked and loaded” on Iran’s critical dual-use infrastructure, its remaining power generation and energy industry.
“We would rather not have to do it, but we are ready to act at the command of our President and at the push of a button. This blockade is the measured way forward.”
He said that Iran claims to control the Strait of Hormuz, but lacks a navy or real domain awareness to implement the same. “Threatening commercial ships in international waters is not control, it is piracy and terrorism,” Hegseth said.
The US Navy controls traffic through the strait because it has real assets and capabilities, and “we are enforcing this blockade with less than 10 per cent of our naval power.”
