US forces in the Middle East are ready to resume combat operations if Iran does not agree to a peace deal, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a Pentagon briefing on Thursday. TASR took over the report from the Reuters and AFP agencies.
In short:
- US forces in the Middle East are ready to resume combat operations
- Washington warns Iran against blockade and bombing of infrastructure
- According to the Pentagon, Tehran does not have a defense industry or the capacity to replenish its armaments
“You, Iran, can choose a prosperous future, and we hope you will do so for the Iranian people,” Hegseth declared. “However, if Iran makes the wrong decision, it faces a blockade and bombing of infrastructure and energy facilities,” he warned.
Iranian equipment under pressure
At the same time, the head of the Pentagon said that Iranian forces are currently trying to dig up the equipment they buried during more than five weeks of conflict in the Middle East.
“We know what military assets you’re moving and where you’re moving them. While you’re excavating — which is exactly what you’re doing, you’re excavating bombed and destroyed facilities — we’re getting stronger,” Hegseth said. According to him, Tehran “does not have any defense industry (or) the ability to supplement its offensive or defensive capabilities.”
Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
The defense secretary also confirmed that the United States would continue to block Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz “for as long as necessary.”
Since the start of the war with the United States and Israel, Iran has severely restricted transit through this strategic waterway through attacks and threats, causing energy prices to rise. After failed negotiations between the US and Iran, Washington announced a blockade of Iranian ports to prevent Tehran from collecting shipping fees and limit its oil revenues.
“The blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, going to or from Iranian ports,” Gen. Dan Caine said alongside Hegseth. “If you don’t comply with this blockade, we will use force,” he added, adding that 13 ships had decided to turn back so far.
Rearmament of the US Army
Commander of the US Army’s Central Command (CENTCOM) Admiral Brad Cooper added that Washington is using the ceasefire to rearm. “We are rearming, reorganizing and adapting our tactics, techniques and procedures. There is no military in the world that is adapting like we are, and that is exactly what we are doing right now during the ceasefire,” he stated.
