US WILL BLOCKADE HORMUZ ‘AS LONG AS IT TAKES’ AND IS READY TO RESTART COMBAT IF TALKS FAIL, HEGSETH WARNS
By Guardian -Tom Ambrose /Taz Ali/Adam Fulton-Thu 16 Apr 2026 13.37 BST
Hegseth says that the US is reloading “with more power than before” and says it is giving Iran the choice of doing things “the easy way or the hard way”. He says Iran’s energy industry is not destroyed “yet” and that threatening to shoot at commercial ships “is not control, it’s piracy”.
The Pentagon chief adds:
For as long as it takes, we will maintain the blockade.
He is now attacking the “legacy, Trump-hating press” for not being patriotic enough for his liking…
13.31 BST
Asked whether there is any update on the welfare of the new Iranian supreme leader, Hegseth says his status “remains the same”.
He adds that Mojtaba Khamenei is believed to be alive, wounded and disfigured.
13.31 BST
Caine tells reporters that the United States would pursue any vessel attempting to provide support to Iran, adding that enforcement would occur in Iranian territorial seas as well as and international waters.
He says that 13 ships have “made the wise choice to turn around” and that, as of this morning, the US has not boarded any ships.
He adds:
If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force.
13.18 BST
Joint chiefs of staff chairman Dan Caine says the US military remains ready to re-engage in combat “at literally a moment’s notice”.
He says the blockade covers Iran’s ports and coastlines and applies to all ships, regardless of which flag they are sailing under.
“This includes dark fleet vessels, carrying Iranian oil,” he says.
Hegseth says that the US is reloading “with more power than before” and says it is giving Iran the choice of doing things “the easy way or the hard way”.
He says Iran’s energy industry is not destroyed “yet” and that threatening to shoot at commercial ships “is not control, it’s piracy”.
The Pentagon chief adds:
For as long as it takes, we will maintain the blockade.
He is now attacking the “legacy, Trump-hating press” for not being patriotic enough for his liking…
13.31 BST
Hegseth warns Iranian regime that the US is 'watching you'
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth is speaking in DC this morning, warning Iran’s leadership that the US is “watching you”.
“While you are digging out of bomb-hit facilities, we are only getting stronger,” he says. “You only have what you have – you know that and we know that.”
Addressing the Iranian regime directly, he says they can “move things around” but that is exposing theirselves to the American’s “watchful eye”.
“You like to say publicly, Iran, that you control the strait of Hormuz but you don’t have a navy,” Hegseth adds.
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Lebanese president holds call with Rubio
The Lebanese presidency said Jospeh Aoun held a call with US secretary of state Marco Rubio.
In a statement posted on social media, it said the Lebanese president thanked Rubio “for the efforts Washington is undertaking to reach a ceasefire and its support at all levels”.
In turn, Rubio “affirmed his continuation of the ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire as a prelude to establishing peace, security, and stability in Lebanon”.
The statement made no mention of any possible talks between Aoun and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, despite comments by Donald Trump that the leaders of Lebanon and Israel would speak today.
