US Threatens Military Force, Sanctions Amid Iran Tensions
Washington escalates economic pressure and military posturing as interim peace deal falters, drawing international condemnation.
Carla Rooney
The Trump administration is not ruling out military force against Iran, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Monday.
Pete Hegseth declared, "By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran." This statement escalates tensions despite the faltering Islamabad memorandum.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions against Tehran. Bessent also cautioned that an unnamed financial institution faces U.S. sanctions by week's end.
By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran.
Mediator Pakistan made 'significant progress' in recent talks with Tehran. It works to prevent further escalation and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Previous Iranian attacks and threats significantly reduced traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. An oil tanker was reportedly hit by an unidentified projectile at the mouth of the Strait.
Tehran's Houthi allies have also restricted Red Sea shipping. The British government claims Iran-linked hackers shut down a small electricity station in the UK.
US officials believe Tehran was behind cyber attacks on water plants in Minnesota. Thousands have died in the conflict between the US and Iran, which began almost six months ago with US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
China, which buys an estimated 80% of Iran's oil exports, denounced the US threat of sanctions for its trade with Iran. It stated such measures would be illegal and warned it would take necessary actions to protect its national interests.
China has already tightened export controls on rare earths, even as the US economy relies on cheap Chinese imports.
Analysts suggest the sanctions announcement was a warning shot, with the most severe measures held back to avoid impacting the global economy. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) provided sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program.
Pete Hegseth claims Iran could not handle the economic pressure being put on it. Conversely, Ali Madanizadeh claims Iran is fully prepared and that the U.S. cannot cut off its financial arteries.
Iran has threatened to retaliate against expanded US sanctions. It hinted it could drag the war out for the rest of Trump's presidency, as the US increases economic pressure on Iran.