Hegseth urges Iran to make deal, but U.S. ‘locked and loaded’
OAN Staff Chloe Hauxwell
2:48 PM – Thursday, April 16, 2026
The Pentagon has given an update on military operations in the Middle East amid the ongoing ceasefire with Iran.
On Thursday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth sent a warning to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and regime leadership urging them to make a lasting deal for peace.
“To the CAGE leadership and IRGC leadership, we’re watching you,” Hegseth stated. “Our capabilities are not the same, our military and yours. Remember, this is not a fair fight.”
The secretary said Iran has the choice between a prosperous future or bombs.
“In the meantime, and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this blockade — successful blockade,” Hegseth said. “But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy.”
He reiterated that the Iranian military is decimated and that the United States remains poised and ready to act if need be.
Hegseth also criticized the regime for claiming it controls the Strait of Hormuz.
“This blockade, which the Chairman will detail this morning, is the polite way that this can go,” Hegseth stated. “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. You’d like to say publicly, Iran, that you control the Strait of Hormuz, but you don’t have a Navy or real domain awareness. You can’t control anything.”
Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine confirmed the blockade applies to all ships regardless of nationality heading into or from Iranian ports.
“On Monday, 13 April at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, at the direction of the President, America’s Joint Force began implementing a blockade against Iran under the leadership of Admiral Cooper and the team at CENTCOM,” Caine revealed. “Let me be clear, this blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports.”
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