US ‘locked and loaded’ to strike Iran’s energy sites if ordered, says Pentagon chief Hegseth
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Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says a naval blockade “is the polite way that this can go”.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- US blockades of Iran are "polite" and a signal for Iran to negotiate, according to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on April 16.
- General Caine stated that US forces are ready to resume combat at any time, and the US Navy will intercept blockade runners.
- The US Navy has widened its blockade to include contraband, with vessels subject to search and seizure, including in Iranian waters.
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WASHINGTON – The US naval blockade of Iran is just an example of “polite” behaviour during the ongoing ceasefire, and US forces are ready to strike Iran’s power plants and energy industry if ordered, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said on April 16.
Standing alongside two of the US military’s most senior officers, Mr Hegseth said Iran needs to choose wisely as it prepares for negotiations with the United States.
“We are reloading with more power than ever before, and better intelligence,” Mr Hegseth said at a Pentagon news briefing.
“We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation, and on your energy industry. We’d rather not have to do it,” he said.
President Donald Trump’s administration expressed optimism on April 15 about reaching a deal to end the Iran war, while also warning of increasing economic pressure against Iran if it remains defiant.
That has included a blockade of Iran that went into effect on April 13, with the US military forcing 13 ships to turn around.
Mr Trump is hoping the blockade will force Iran to accept US terms for ending a war, which was launched by the US and Israel on Feb 28, including opening up the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which roughly a fifth of global oil and gas exports ordinarily transits.
Mr Trump has said that was also a condition of the ceasefire due to expire next week.
Mr Hegseth, in comments aimed at the Iranian leadership, said the blockade “is the polite way that this can go”.
General Dan Caine, chairman of the US military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, said American forces are “ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moment’s notice”.
US Navy ships would pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran, he said.
Ships trying to break the blockade would be intercepted and warned that “if you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force”, and enforcement would occur inside Iran’s territorial seas and in international waters, Gen Caine said.
No ships have been boarded so far, he said.
The US military has widened its blockade to include cargoes deemed contraband, and any vessels suspected of trying to reach Iranian territory will be “subject to belligerent right to visit and search”, the US Navy said in an advisory on April 16.
“These vessels, regardless of location, are subject to visit, board, search and seizure,” it said.
Contraband items listed included weapons, weapons systems, ammunition, nuclear materials, crude and refined oil products as well as iron, steel and aluminium. REUTERS
