WASHINGTON: US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine held a media briefing at the Pentagon, outlining Washington’s position on Iran and ongoing maritime operations in the region.
Pete Hegseth stated that the United States’ objective is clear: Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. He added that it would be “better for Iran to accept a good deal” through negotiations.
The US Secretary of War claimed that Iran is under pressure and that a second American naval fleet is expected to deploy within days. He also alleged that several vessels have been seized and warned that more such actions could follow.
Hegseth further stated that the situation around the Strait of Hormuz is under strict US control, adding that no vessel can pass without authorization. He claimed commercial ships would now operate under US conditions.
He also announced that another aircraft carrier is expected to reach the Gulf of Oman in the coming days, intensifying the US naval presence in the region.
Hegseth accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of acting like “pirates at sea,” alleging that Iranian forces have fired on commercial vessels and seized ships. He clarified that the vessels detained by Iran were not American or Israeli.
He further stated that Iran has already targeted multiple ships and warned that operations aimed at tightening pressure and “blockade enforcement” will continue.
General Dan Caine stated that US destroyers intercepted and disabled vessel engines before taking control of them after warnings were ignored. He claimed that Iran had previously attacked several ships and that some of the seized vessels had departed from Iranian ports.
Caine added that US forces had issued warnings before taking action, but intervention became necessary when vessels failed to comply.
Hegseth emphasized that Iran still has a diplomatic window available, but repeated that military and naval pressure will continue until strategic objectives are met. He also reiterated that the US seeks reliable allies and will continue to protect its global interests.
The briefing highlighted rising tensions in the Gulf region amid heightened naval deployments and escalating rhetoric between Washington and Tehran.
