US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Thursday started a press briefing by threatening that the US was “locked and loaded” and ready to destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure if the US-Israeli war against Iran restarts.
“We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation, and on your energy industry,” Hegseth said, in an apparent reference to both power plants and oil infrastructure. “We’d rather not have to do it, but we’re ready to go at the command of our president, and at the push of a button.”
Before the current ceasefire, President Trump repeatedly threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants and unleash “hell” on the country, and at one point said that an “entire civilization” would “die.” But if the US unleashed on Iran’s energy infrastructure, Iran could do the same in attacks on Israel and the Gulf Arab states, which would greatly exacerbate the global economic crisis caused by the war.
Hegseth went on to describe the current US blockade on Iranian ports as a “polite” way that the US is pressuring Iran, though a blockade is considered an act of war. “Your energy is not moving and will not move. And we can do this all day, but it’s not destroyed yet. Your energy industry is not destroyed yet,” he said.
Hegseth was joined by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, who detailed the US blockade, claiming that 13 ships made the “wise decision” to turn around. “As we continue to hold this blockade at the order of the Secretary and the President, any vessel that fails to comply with our instructions will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
Caine also quoted a warning that ships receive when approaching US warships enforcing the blockade, which are operating at the mouth of the Gulf of Oman, where it meets the Arabian Sea. “Do not attempt to breach the blockade. Vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure, transiting to or from Iranian ports. Turn around or prepare to be boarded. If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force,” he said.
The fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran will expire on April 22 if it’s not extended, and the two sides appear to be negotiating through Pakistan. President Trump announced on Thursday that a ceasefire will be implemented in Lebanon, a key demand of the Iranians, but it remains unclear if Israel will abide by it.
During his press briefing, Hegseth also launched a bizarre attack on the press over the coverage of the US-Israeli war against Iran, comparing them to the Pharisees, a Jewish sect that served as religious leaders during the time of Jesus Christ. Hegseth noted how, in the gospels, the Pharisees were critical of Jesus for performing healings on the Sabbath, appearing to compare the US-Israeli war with miracles.
