US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth publicly warned that the United States is "prepared to resume combat operations if Iran does not agree to a peace deal."
According to AFP and Reuters on Friday (local time), Hegseth said at a briefing, "Iran can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope they do so for the Iranian people. But if Iran makes the wrong choice, there will be blockades and bombs falling on infrastructure, power, and energy facilities."
Hegseth said Iran's energy industry has not "yet" been destroyed, but US blockades are cutting off its exports.
He said it is US forces, not Iran, that currently control ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz "because the United States has a navy and Iran no longer has a navy." He also mentioned that the US would block ship traffic "for as long as necessary."
After peace negotiations with Iran held in Islamabad, Pakistan on January 11-12 ended without a clear conclusion, the US has deployed naval forces to launch a "counter-blockade" since January 13, blocking ships traveling to and from Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz area.
Previously, Iran had controlled the Strait of Hormuz since war broke out following US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, and had sought to impose transit fees on tankers and other vessels passing through.
Hegseth criticized Iran's threats to "fire on merchant ships" passing through the strait as "not control but piracy," while emphasizing that US forces are "rearming with stronger capabilities than before."
Hegseth said US forces have been tracking all of Iran's movements during the ceasefire period, including restoring destroyed launch pads and relocating military assets, warning "we are watching you." The US and Iran agreed to a "two-week ceasefire" on the 7th of this month, which expires on the 21st.
Meanwhile, both sides are reportedly pursuing a second round of negotiations as early as this weekend, but have failed to narrow differences on key issues including Iran's nuclear development program.
Hegseth urged Iran, saying "the deal is in your hands" and "I hope you choose that deal."
