Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denounced Iran's leadership as "pirates and terrorists" during a Thursday morning Pentagon briefing, warning Tehran against challenging the U.S. naval blockade in the Persian Gulf. "We have a long track record of dealing with pirates and terrorists," Hegseth said, vowing to maintain the blockade "for as long as it takes" while cautioning that Iranian miscalculations could lead to strikes on "infrastructure, power, and energy."
Military Strategy and Economic Pressure
The U.S. blockade, enforced since Monday, aims to sever Iran's illicit oil trade with adversaries like China, which imports roughly 90% of Tehran's crude. Former Treasury Department official Miad Maleki estimates the Islamic Republic could lose $435 million daily, over $13 billion monthly, from disrupted imports and exports. This economic strain compounds existing pressures from decades of sanctions, raising questions about Iran's capacity to sustain its military posture.
Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported that 13 vessels have complied with the blockade, turning back after encountering U.S. forces. "These ships made the wise choice," Caine said, emphasizing that the blockade applies to all ships entering or exiting Iranian ports but does not seal the Strait of Hormuz itself. American assets have so far avoided boarding operations, though tactical options remain open.
Confronting the 'Legacy Press'
Hegseth reserved sharp criticism for media outlets he described as the "legacy Trump-hating press," drawing a biblical analogy during the briefing. "I thought, our press are just like these Pharisees," he said, referencing a Sunday church reading, "your politically motivated animus for President Trump nearly completely blinds you from the brilliance of our American warriors." He contrasted this with what he called favorable coverage during the Biden administration, including descriptions of the chaotic 2021 Afghanistan evacuation as "the greatest airlift in American history."
U.S. intelligence is monitoring Iranian efforts to recover missile launchers and equipment during a ceasefire, Hegseth added. "We know what military assets you are moving and where," he stated, asserting that Iran lacks the capacity to replace destroyed systems. "We're reloading with more power than ever before and better intelligence."