Pete Hegseth has asserted that the United States military is “prepared and ready” to launch an attack on Iran, even as President Donald Trump emphasizes that his administration continues to work towards an agreement with the Islamic government.

The Defense Secretary stated that the U.S. armed forces are poised to dismantle the Iranian regime should they decide against accepting a deal with America.

Hegseth issued a stern warning to Iran’s top officials: “We are keeping a close eye on you.”

He elaborated, “Remember, this isn’t an even match, and we are aware of your military movements and their destinations. Our forces are rearming with unprecedented strength and, more crucially, with superior intelligence. As you make moves, you expose yourselves to our vigilant observation.”

Hegseth promised that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would persist and cautioned that additional military actions would follow if Tehran did not agree to terms with the U.S.

“To Iran, make a wise choice. I hope you opt for a deal that is within your reach for the prosperity of your people and the world,” Hegseth urged. “Meanwhile, the War Department remains fully prepared.”

Hegseth’s comments contradicts Trump’s claim on Wednesday that the strait is ‘permanently open’ after secret talks with Xi Jinping, claiming the Chinese leader had agreed to stop arming Iran.

After peace talks with the Islamic regime collapsed over the weekend, the President launched a naval blockade of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint through which one-fifth of the world’s supply flows.

Hegseth claimed the US military is ‘locked and loaded’ to strike Iran , even as Donald Trump insists his administration is still pursuing a deal with the Islamic regime

Hegseth’s comments contradicts Trump’s claim on Wednesday that the strait is ‘permanently open’ after secret talks with Xi Jinping

After peace talks with the Islamic regime collapsed over the weekend, the President launched a naval blockade of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint through which one-fifth of the world’s supply flows

Hegseth also appeared to criticism NATO European allies for not assisting the US military with blocking off the strait. 

‘You can’t live in a world in perpetuity, and this is a message to the rest of the world and our allies, where you just rely on America to continually do the heavy lifting.’

‘Oh, Iran might get a nuclear bomb. Who’s going to do something about it? America and America only,’ Hegseth added. ‘Other allies need to invest in their capabilities so they can project power and do basic tasks like clearing a strait.’

Roughly 40 percent of Europe’s jet fuel supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, along with about 10 percent of the continent’s liquefied natural gas imports.

The blockade has fueled global energy inflation, pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel.

‘This is a waterway that the American commerce doesn’t use all that much,’ Hegseth told reporters on Thursday. 

‘We don’t rely on the energy coming out of the Strait of Hormuz, but Asia does, and Europe does, and large parts of the rest of the world do, and so their ability to muster a collective defense or a clearing of the straits would be a wonderful thing.’

Despite Hegseth’s claim that the U.S. is not economically reliant on the strait, Trump’s naval blockade has driven gas prices above $4 per gallon nationwide and is beginning to push up the cost of consumer goods.

Hegseth vowed the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in place and warned it would be followed by further military strikes if Tehran failed to reach a deal with the US

Hegseth also appeared to criticism NATO European allies for not assisting the US military with blocking off the strait

Iranian diplomats have been in contact with Pakistani mediators in recent days regarding securing a long-term peace agreement with the US. 

Trump has told reporters that Iran will make a deal and that the war is effectively over; however, no final agreement has been reached as the two-week ceasefire approaches its expiration.