US warns military operations will resume if Iran ‘chooses poorly’, expands blockade
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The news: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that US forces are ready to resume combat operations if Iran does not agree to a peace deal.
Speaking at a Pentagon press briefing on Thursday, Hegseth said: “You, Iran, can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran…If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.”
The context: Hegseth asserted that the US remains in control of the Strait of Hormuz and will maintain the blockade for as long as is necessary.
Also addressing the briefing, General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said US forces “will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran”.
He continued that the US blockade goes beyond the Strait of Hormuz, applying to “all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports.” The comments expand on the measure that went into effect on Monday, which had only covered ships sailing to and from Iranian ports.
US Central Command, which oversees US forces in the Middle East said on Thursday that 14 ships have turned around to comply with the blockade during the first 72 hours of its enforcement.
The comments come as efforts to arrange a second round of US-Iran talks continue, with key mediator Pakistan noting that no date has been set for any new talks between the counties. Meanwhile, US officials and President Donald Trump had asserted that Israeli and Lebanese leaders were due to speak, but Lebanese officials denied any conversation between Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun would not be taking place on Thursday.
The sources: Department of War briefing, WSJ, FT, ABC, US CentCom
