US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the Donald Trump administration is not ruling out the use of military force against Iran. He emphasized that alongside escalating economic pressure on Tehran, the option of carrying out strikes in the Strait of Hormuz or other regions of Iran remains on the table.
Speaking to reporters on August 24, Hegseth declared: “By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran.” He added that Iran lacks the capacity to withstand the economic pressure applied by the United States.
Referring to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the US Defense Secretary noted: “Iran knows that we control the Strait of Hormuz, our blockade is ironclad, and oil is flowing through it. Iran can’t run anything through; we can.”
He also reported full coordination with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on economic pressure targeting the Islamic Republic, stating that Iran’s economy is currently in a downward spiral.
Hegseth added that, from the perspective of the Trump administration, intensifying economic pressure could push Tehran to conclude that its only remaining option is to come to the negotiating table to discuss its nuclear program, an outcome the US President has demanded.
