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Hegseth: Blockade Will Force Iran to Negotiate or Perish

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

George Caldwell / @GCaldwell_news

George Caldwell is a correspondent for The Daily Signal. Send an email to George.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gave an update on his war on Iran’s economy Thursday, pressuring its leaders to negotiate with Americans or suffer kinetic strikes in addition to the current blockade on Iran-linked ships.

“For as long as it takes, we will maintain this blockade. … But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy,” Hegseth said.

Since April 13, the United States has shifted from a strategy of military destruction to one of economic pressure in order to encourage an outcome in negotiations with Iran intermediated by Pakistan.

“The war department will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon,” said Hegseth. “We prefer to do it the nice way through a deal led by our great vice president and negotiating team, or we can do it the hard way.”

SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH: “If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy.”“To Iran: choose wisely.” pic.twitter.com/iUlJfemSMx— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) April 16, 2026

SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH: “If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy.”“To Iran: choose wisely.” pic.twitter.com/iUlJfemSMx

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine joined Hegseth, and stressed that the United States was not blocking the Strait of Hormuz with a literal cordon of ships across, but rather targeting ships connected to Iranian commerce.

“This blockade applies to all ships regardless of nationality heading into or from Iranian ports. The U.S. action is a blockade of Iran’s ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.”

He added that the U.S. “will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel” in regions such as the Pacific.

Caine told reporters that the military is “ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moment’s notice.”

Hegseth also mentioned Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent’s sanctions campaign against Iran, known as “Operation Economic Fury,” saying it is “maximizing economic pressure.”

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