US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that "now that the United States has made Iran voluntarily open the Strait of Hormuz, it is time for the rest of the world to step up to keep the strait open."
Hegseth made the remarks at a press conference at the Department of Defense in Virginia on Thursday, noting that "the United States brings in almost no energy through Hormuz."
Regarding Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Hegseth said, "Iran will voluntarily hand it over to us," adding, "We will secure it, bring it out, and eliminate it." He also emphasized, "Otherwise, we may have to take other measures ourselves. Like Operation Midnight Hammer in the past, we retain options." The statement is interpreted as pressure on Iran, suggesting the US could take forceful measures if Tehran does not voluntarily give up its highly enriched uranium, similar to the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities last June. Hegseth stressed that "there will be no more Iranian nuclear weapons."
Regarding the two-week ceasefire, he explained that "President Donald Trump chose mercy," adding that "the United States achieved a decisive victory. However, we will maintain readiness just in case."