“We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth aimed that line at Tehran on April 16, 2026, as he told reporters the US military is ready to resume combat against Iran if no deal comes together.
The Pentagon briefing came days into a US naval blockade of Iranian ports, which began on Monday after talks in Pakistan ended without agreement. Hegseth said the blockade will stay “as long as it takes.” Al Jazeera reported that he held out what he called “a golden bridge” toward prosperity for Iran, but warned that refusing it means the blockade continues and bombs fall as well. The Jerusalem Post quoted him on the alternative: “blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy” if Iran “chooses poorly.”
He had a message for Iranian leaders too. “We are watching you,” he said. “Your capabilities are not the same as ours.”
Generals back him up
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said American forces “remain postured and ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moment’s notice.” He said the blockade targets Iranian-flagged vessels and ships giving material support to Iran, not the whole Strait of Hormuz. Iran Times reported that he also said US Navy forces in the Pacific could stop ships resupplying Iran.
Caine said thirteen ships had already turned back after US warnings.
Admiral Brad Cooper, who heads US Central Command, said the military is using the pause in fighting to rearm and adjust its tactics. He told the briefing he had met Israel’s defense chief twice in two weeks to keep the two militaries aligned.
Skepticism in Tehran
The two-week ceasefire is due to lapse on April 21. Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman said a second round of talks was expected in Islamabad, though neither Washington nor Tehran confirmed it.
Iranian reaction was cool. A platform linked to Iran’s foreign ministry dismissed the upbeat public messaging as “hype.” Iran’s parliamentary speaker said a ceasefire in Lebanon matters as much as the pause in the Iran fighting.
Hegseth also dismissed reports that China plans to supply weapons to Iran, saying Beijing had given assurances it would not.
Sources
- Pentagon chief Hegseth warns Iran blockade to last 'as long as takes' (Al Jazeera)
- US ready to restart Iran war if no deal reached, Pete Hegseth warns (Jerusalem Post)
- Iran War Live Updates: Hegseth Says U.S. Is Poised to Resume Combat if Talks Fail (Iran Times)
