US Forces Ready to Restart Combat if Iran Rejects Deal, Says Hegseth

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on April 16, 2026, that American military forces in West Asia are prepared to resume combat operations if Iran fails to agree to a peace deal. During a Pentagon briefing held alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, Hegseth outlined a intensified pressure campaign against Tehran. This strategy includes the implementation of a naval blockade on all vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports. The Defense Secretary framed the ultimatum as a choice for Iran between a prosperous future, described metaphorically as a 'golden bridge,' and continued conflict. The announcement underscores the escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the U.S. military actively posturing to enforce diplomatic demands through significant maritime restrictions and the threat of renewed warfare. The briefing served to clarify the U.S. stance amidst ongoing negotiations, signaling a hardline approach aimed at compelling Iranian compliance with proposed agreement terms.