Image Source: The New York Times
Pete Hegseth says the United States is keeping the possibility of renewed military action against Iran on the table as the Trump administration launches a major economic pressure campaign against Tehran.
The War Secretary told reporters that President Donald Trump’s administration is “by no means” ruling out the use of force near the Strait of Hormuz or elsewhere around Iran. His warning came as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled a sweeping new sanctions strategy aimed at cutting off the Iranian regime’s remaining financial lifelines.
Pete Hegseth Issues a Stark Warning to Iran
“By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran,” Hegseth said, according to Fox News reporting.
He added that the United States would respond if Iran “overplay[s] their hand” or interferes with American military forces. At the same time, Hegseth emphasized that economic pressure is currently Washington’s preferred tool, arguing that sanctions are causing greater damage to Iran’s economy than military action would.
“If Iran is foolish enough to overplay their hand or mess with the American military, we’ll do what we need to do,” Hegseth said. “But economic pressure, we know, hurts them the most right now.”
Economic Pressure Takes Center Stage
The administration’s sanctions plan, described by Bessent as an “economic D-Day,” is designed to isolate Iran from the global financial system. The Treasury secretary said the measures focus on five areas that Tehran uses to sustain its economy: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping.
Bessent also warned countries, banks and companies that continue doing business with Iran that they could lose access to the U.S.-backed dollar system. He said Washington would target entities involved in purchasing or transporting Iranian petroleum, moving funds through exchange houses and free-trade zones, maintaining ship registries and facilitating other financial activity.
The Treasury secretary framed the campaign as a choice for Iran: accept deeper global isolation and a subsistence economy, or change course and seek a path back to international markets. He also warned foreign governments against operating in what he described as financial “gray spaces” that allow Tehran to maintain commercial connections.
- Sanctions are aimed at Iran’s financial, shipping and energy networks.
- Foreign companies and governments could face secondary sanctions.
- Washington says the objective is economic isolation, not disruption of the global economy.
- Iran has threatened retaliation against countries supporting the pressure campaign.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Continue
The economic offensive comes amid rising tension in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments. Shipping through the strait remains significantly reduced, while U.S. naval forces continue enforcing a blockade, according to the Fox News live coverage.
U.S. Central Command said American forces had redirected 71 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two to ensure compliance. More than four vessels carrying humanitarian aid were allowed to pass.
The military posture has also shifted. The USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers were reported to be in the Indian Ocean, while other American warships remained positioned in the Arabian Sea. The deployment reflects Washington’s effort to monitor the waterway and maintain pressure on Tehran.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations organization reported that an oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile near Oman. The vessel suffered damage to its engine room and was disabled near Ash Shishah, but crew members were reported safe.
Iran Vows a “Seismic” Response
Iranian officials have rejected the sanctions and warned that any nation supporting them could be treated as an enemy. Iran’s head of national security said Tehran would retaliate in a “seismic manner,” while Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh predicted “another defeat” for Washington.
Iranian officials have also threatened to stop oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf if the economic pressure campaign continues. Those threats have raised concerns about energy markets, commercial shipping and the safety of crews operating in the region.
Trump, meanwhile, said Iran’s economy was “completely collapsing” as his administration prepared the financial offensive. Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst reported that Iran’s currency had reached a historic low and that leaders were facing growing internal pressure as prices rose.
What Happens Next for US-Iran Relations?
The immediate question is whether Iran will respond through economic retaliation, attacks on shipping, cyber operations or actions against U.S. personnel. Fox News also reported that Iranian-linked hackers were blamed for a cyberattack that disrupted a United Kingdom energy facility, although officials were still assessing the incident.
Retired Gen. Jack Keane cautioned that sanctions will require aggressive, sustained enforcement to prevent Iran and its partners from finding workarounds. That could place additional pressure on foreign companies and governments with financial, energy or shipping ties to Tehran.
For now, the administration is presenting sanctions as its primary strategy. But Pete Hegseth’s comments make clear that military options remain available if Iran threatens American forces or escalates the confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the United States planning immediate military strikes against Iran?
The source material does not report an immediate strike order. Pete Hegseth said the administration is not ruling out future military action if Iran escalates or threatens American forces.
What is the “economic D-Day” against Iran?
It refers to a broad sanctions campaign led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The measures target financial, shipping, technology, aviation, gold and digital-asset networks connected to Iran.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for global energy shipments. Disruptions there can affect commercial shipping, oil supplies and energy prices worldwide.
How has Iran responded to the sanctions?
Iranian officials have dismissed the sanctions, predicted another defeat for Washington and threatened a major retaliation against the United States and countries supporting the campaign.
