US Defense Secretary signals military force over Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled on August 24 that the United States is prepared to use military force at the Strait of Hormuz or any other point, in remarks read as directed at Iranian territory. Hegseth said Washington believes Iran cannot withstand the pressure and that its economy is in collapse. He added that the US controls the Strait of Hormuz, that breaking the blockade is not possible, and emphasized that oil transits through the waterway. The Treasury Department announced the same day that it had launched, at President Donald Trump's instruction, an "Enemy Economy Operation" targeting Iran and those supporting it. The department described the campaign, which covers US state institutions, as unprecedented in scope. Iran's Foreign Ministry responded later in the day, warning that the source of any hostile action against Iran would be targeted and that countries opening their territory or bases to forces attacking Iran would face consequences. A ministry spokesperson said Iran poses no threat to any country so long as its territory is not used for "illegal actions" against Iran.