US ‘by no means’ ruling out strikes on Iran

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Monday stated that the United States is prepared to employ military force against Iran, including in the Strait of Hormuz, and that Washington is not ruling out kinetic strikes. Hegseth said, "If we need to use kinetic strikes, we'll use them." The U.S. is currently exerting economic pressure on Tehran, which Hegseth believes is the most effective method of pressure at the moment.

Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. controls the Strait of Hormuz and that its blockade is "ironclad." He added that the U.S. military action has significantly impacted Iran's naval and missile capabilities. Continued economic pressure could force Iran to engage in negotiations over its nuclear program, according to Hegseth. Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajer responded to the new U.S. sanctions by stating that the government and the president will guide the country through the phase.

Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the launch of Operation Economic Outcast, which aims to sever Iran's financial connections worldwide and cut off revenue sources supporting the Iranian regime. Bessent stated that Iran now faces a choice between global isolation and a return to the international economy.