Hegseth calls war in Iran a 'gift to the world'

To Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, the U.S.-Iran war is a "gift to the world."

Hegseth's comment came during a news conference at the Pentagon on April 24. While speaking to reporters, Hegseth said the U.S. blockade of Iranian shipping on the Strait of Hormuz is "ironclad" and will continue "as long as it takes" to accomplish America's "bold and dangerous" mission of ending Iran's threat to global security.

“We are in control. Nothing in, nothing out,” Hegseth said regarding the blockade of Iranian ports. He added that Iran is acting like “a gang of pirates” to seize ships from other countries.

Earlier this week, Iran seized two container ships on the Strait of Hormuz, which Hegseth said happened with small speedboats armed with AK-47s.

Hegseth’s remarks also come as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are set to depart for Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 25 to resume talks with Iranian officials for a deal.