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WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued a stark warning on Tuesday, declaring that the Pentagon is on “full alert” and fully prepared to take military action against Iran as the confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz escalates into direct combat .
Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Hegseth laid out a clear message to Tehran: the US Navy will not be deterred from its mission to reopen the critical waterway, and any further attacks on American or commercial vessels will be met with overwhelming force.
“The Pentagon is on full alert and ready to move against Iran. We will stand by our forces and support them. We will prevail. We will not be intimidated by these thugs.”
— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War
The statement follows a dramatic escalation on Monday, in which US forces destroyed six Iranian fast-attack boats and intercepted a barrage of cruise missiles and drones launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after two US Navy destroyers transited the strait .
⚔️ ‘Thugs and Criminals’
Hegseth’s language was notably aggressive, signaling that the US is shifting from a posture of “maximum pressure” to one of direct military confrontation.
“He described the Iranian forces as thugs and criminals and insisted that the mission to reopen the strait would continue,” according to a pool report from the briefing.
“The president has been clear: the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway,” he told reporters. “The Iranian regime does not own it. They do not control it. And they will not be allowed to close it.”
Hegseth confirmed that “Project Freedom,” the US mission to escort stranded commercial vessels through the strait, would continue regardless of Iranian opposition.
“I have my orders from the president, and I will carry them out,” Hegseth said .
🚢 Counter-Offensive Details Remain Classified
When pressed by reporters for specific details about the military’s operational response to Iran’s aggression, including whether US forces had struck Iranian territory, Hegseth declined to comment, citing operational security.
However, he emphasized that the Pentagon is fully prepared for any scenario, and that the US military is “capable of delivering a decisive blow anywhere in the world” if provoked.
The exchange with Hegseth came amidst reports that the Pentagon had placed certain Iran-related strike plans on a “readied” status and that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had been repositioned closer to Iranian waters .
⚖️ The Aftermath: Two COMPLETELY Different Stories
The Pentagon’s declaration of readiness stands in stark contrast to the version of events being broadcast by Iranian state media. Tehran continues to insist that no US warships passed through the strait and that any American vessels that attempted to do so were turned back by the IRGC.
Hegseth’s comments also came after the White House confirmed a significant shift in the rules of engagement for US forces in the region, authorizing commanders on the scene to make “real-time decisions” about the use of deadly force without waiting for clearance from Washington.
Hegseth’s warning reinforces that message: the US Navy will steam where it wants, and Iran can either back down or face a full-scale military response.
📋 Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Hegseth’s Statement | Pentagon on “full alert” and ready to move against Iran |
| The Mission | “Project Freedom” to reopen Strait of Hormuz continues |
| Hezbollah as ‘Thugs’ | US will not be intimidated by “thugs and criminals” |
| Calls for Restraint | Hegseth warns Iran that continued attacks will be met with overwhelming force |
| Escalation | Follows Monday’s engagement destroying 6 Iranian fast boats |
| ROE Change | US commanders authorized to use deadly force without waiting for approval |
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