U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that Washington could reimpose a “strict blockade” on Iran and, if necessary, resume military operations if Tehran fails to comply with its commitments under a recently signed memorandum of understanding. Speaking on Wednesday, Hegseth said the United States had agreed under the recent deal to end its naval blockade of Iran, which had previously restricted the movement of Iranian vessels. “If Iran does not do what it said it would do,” Hegseth said, and fails to abandon what he described as its “nuclear weapons ambitions,” “the Department of War is prepared to resume military operations if necessary.” The U.S. defense secretary also said that future negotiations between Washington and Tehran would focus on Iran’s nuclear programme. Hegseth added that several European countries had expressed readiness to participate in mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, he called on Britain to play a broader role, saying that the country should “step up” its involvement.
