US Says Ready to Resume Combat Operations Anytime if Iran Fails to Reach Deal
Top US military officials warned that US forces are ready to resume major combat operations in the Middle East if Iran does not sign a peace deal. The US is currently blockading Iranian ports.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 23:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 23:31 (21 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 01:23 (49h 51m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA, Washington, 16th) Top US military officials stated in a Pentagon briefing today that if Iran does not agree to sign a peace agreement, US troops stationed in the Middle East are ready to resume combat operations at any time.
According to Reuters, to pressure Tehran into signing the agreement, the US military is implementing a blockade on all ships entering and leaving Iranian ports.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said: "Iran has a choice to walk toward a prosperous future, a bridge to a better place. We hope you will think of the Iranian people. But if Iran makes the wrong choice, they will face a blockade, and their infrastructure, electricity, and energy (facilities) will be bombed."
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine noted that US forces are "ready to resume major combat operations at any time."
Caine stated in the briefing that US naval vessels will pursue all Iranian-flagged ships, or any vessels attempting to provide material assistance to Iran.
Caine pointed out that ships attempting to break the blockade will be intercepted and warned, "If you do not comply with the blockade, we will use force."
He added that law enforcement actions will be carried out in Iranian territorial waters and international waters, stating that so far 13 ships have chosen to turn around rather than force their way through the blockade, and no ships have been boarded for inspection by the US military yet.
According to an AP report, Hegseth claimed that the US Navy is using only a fraction of its total military power to blockade Iran.
Hegseth said: "We are only using 10% of the world's most powerful navy, while your (Iran's) navy is down to 0%."
Currently, the US Navy has deployed 16 warships to the Middle East, including 11 destroyers, 3 amphibious assault ships, 1 aircraft carrier, and 1 littoral combat ship.
According to CNN, when responding to reports that China plans to send weapons to Iran, Hegseth pointed out that the US has been assured this will not happen.
He stated that US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have a very strong and direct relationship and have communicated on this matter, "China has assured us that this will not happen."
(CNA, Washington, 16th) Top US military officials stated in a Pentagon briefing today that if Iran does not agree to sign a peace agreement, US troops stationed in the Middle East are ready to resume combat operations at any time.
According to Reuters, to pressure Tehran into signing the agreement, the US military is implementing a blockade on all ships entering and leaving Iranian ports.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said: "Iran has a choice to walk toward a prosperous future, a bridge to a better place. We hope you will think of the Iranian people. But if Iran makes the wrong choice, they will face a blockade, and their infrastructure, electricity, and energy (facilities) will be bombed."
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine noted that US forces are "ready to resume major combat operations at any time."
Caine stated in the briefing that US naval vessels will pursue all Iranian-flagged ships, or any vessels attempting to provide material assistance to Iran.
Caine pointed out that ships attempting to break the blockade will be intercepted and warned, "If you do not comply with the blockade, we will use force."
He added that law enforcement actions will be carried out in Iranian territorial waters and international waters, stating that so far 13 ships have chosen to turn around rather than force their way through the blockade, and no ships have been boarded for inspection by the US military yet.
According to an AP report, Hegseth claimed that the US Navy is using only a fraction of its total military power to blockade Iran.
Hegseth said: "We are only using 10% of the world's most powerful navy, while your (Iran's) navy is down to 0%."
Currently, the US Navy has deployed 16 warships to the Middle East, including 11 destroyers, 3 amphibious assault ships, 1 aircraft carrier, and 1 littoral combat ship.
According to CNN, when responding to reports that China plans to send weapons to Iran, Hegseth pointed out that the US has been assured this will not happen.
He stated that US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have a very strong and direct relationship and have communicated on this matter, "China has assured us that this will not happen."