The United States will maintain the blockade of Iranian ports, which has been in effect since Monday, "as long as necessary", US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said today, after which he warned Tehran of new attacks if an agreement is not reached in the near future, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
"We will maintain this blockade, which is working, as long as necessary", Pete Hegseth said during a press conference at the Pentagon.
"If Iran makes the wrong choice, then there will be a blockade and bombs that will hit its electricity and energy infrastructure", he threatened minister.
Since Monday, the US military has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports after the failure of the first round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad, led by US Vice President J.D. Vance.
"This blockade applies to all ships, regardless of their nationality, that are heading to or coming from Iranian ports", specified the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kaine, who participated in the press conference with Pete Hegseth. "This US operation is a blockade of Iranian ports, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz", the general added.
"So far, 13 ships have made the sensible choice to return", Kaine pointed out.
According to him, the US message is: "If you do not comply with this blockade, we will resort to force". The general assured that "the captains of these ships can see, feel and sense the pressure on themselves".
Pete Hegseth, addressing Iranian leaders directly, said that Tehran is trying during the ceasefire to "dig up" military equipment buried by more than five weeks of US-Israeli strikes against Iran.
"You will dig up your remaining missiles and launchers. You have no way to replace them – you no longer have a defense industry, nor the ability to restore your offensive or defensive weapons," the minister said.
"While you are digging up (military equipment) from bombed and destroyed facilities, we are only strengthening our forces," he warned.
The commander of US forces in the Middle East, Admiral Brad Cooper, who also participated in the press conference, confirmed that the US is taking advantage of the ceasefire, in effect since April 8, to "re-arm".
"We are rearming, re-equipping and adjusting our strategies, techniques and procedures," he said.