Washington, DC [US], April 16 (ANI): US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has issued a stern warning to Iranian leadership, stating that the blockade of Iranian ports and sustained economic pressure will persist unless Iran 'chooses wisely' a deal for the 'betterment' of their people and the world.

He further warned that if 'Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure and power and energy.'

The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which entered its third day on Thursday, has already led to multiple merchant vessels being turned away, with US forces claiming full control over maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports. The blockade is designed to isolate the Iranian economy by severing its primary maritime trade routes. According to official military communications, US forces are maintaining a high state of readiness to ensure total compliance with the embargo. The escalation comes at a delicate moment, with Iran cautioning that the blockade could worsen an already fragile situation.

Addressing a Pentagon briefing, Secretary Hegseth was joined by the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, and Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of US Central Command. During the session, Hegseth made it clear that the current military posture would remain in place to ensure compliance, specifically noting that the United States is closely monitoring Iranian military movements.

'We know which military assets you have moved and where you have taken them,' he said, addressing both the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Pentagon chief suggested that Iran's critical energy infrastructure remains vulnerable, noting that while the 'energy industry is not destroyed yet,' the current 'US blockade shutting down exports' is already severely restricting Tehran's oil revenues.

'In the meantime, and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this successful blockade. But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure and power and energy,' Hegseth warned. He further noted that the Treasury Department is simultaneously 'maximizing economic pressure' on the Iranian economy.

Focusing on the strategic maritime corridors, Hegseth emphasised American naval dominance, stating that 'the US Navy controls the movement in and out of Hormuz, which we are doing with just 10 per cent of US naval capacity.' He indicated that Washington retains significant escalation leverage, describing the current measures as restrained.

'This blockade is the polite way that this can go,' Hegseth cautioned, as he challenged Tehran's ability to counter US control by stating, 'You (Iran) don't have a navy or real domain awareness. You can't control anything.'

Urging a diplomatic resolution to the standoff, the Secretary of War added, 'I pray you (Iran) choose a deal which is within your grasp, for the betterment of your people, for the betterment of the world.'

Reinforcing this position, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, highlighted the readiness of the military to escalate operations if the diplomatic window closes.

'I'd like to emphasize during this pause that the United States joint force remains postured and ready to resume major combat,' General Caine remarked, underscoring the high state of alert maintained by US forces in the West Asia. (ANI)