US Forces Ready to Restart Combat if Iran Rejects Peace Deal, Says Defense Secretary

In a firm stance communicated from Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made it clear that American forces are on standby to re-engage in combat operations should Iran fail to accept a peace agreement. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth outlined a stark choice for Tehran: embrace a "prosperous future" or face severe military consequences.

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You Iran, can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran.

The warning was explicit: if Iran "chooses poorly," it can expect a naval blockade and targeted strikes on its infrastructure, power, and energy sectors. This declaration comes as part of a broader U.S. campaign to exert maximum pressure on Iran to negotiate and agree to terms. The message is unambiguous – the U.S. is prepared to escalate its military posture if diplomatic efforts falter.

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But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.

Reinforcing this threat, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that U.S. military forces are actively enforcing a blockade on all vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports. Caine stated that any ship defying the blockade would be intercepted and warned, with the potential use of force if necessary. The enforcement zone extends to both Iran's territorial waters and international waters, signaling a broad reach for the U.S. military's assertive actions in the region. This aggressive posture underscores the high stakes involved in the ongoing negotiations and the potential for a rapid escalation of conflict.

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(We) will actively pursue any Iranian flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran.