Iran Challenges Trump’s Sanctions as Hegseth Does Not Rule Out Military Strikes

The United States is increasing pressure on Tehran after imposing new punitive measures against nearly 60 entities, individuals and vessels. At the same time, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that the military option against Iran remains on the table.

Hegseth said Washington was not ruling out strikes in the Strait of Hormuz or areas surrounding Iran. According to him, the economic pressure being exerted on Tehran will be impossible for Iran to withstand.

“In no way are we ruling out the possibility of military strikes in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran. Iran will not be able to withstand the economic pressure being exerted against it,” said Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense.

However, in Tehran, the American measures do not appear to have caused concern. Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh said the country was “fully prepared” for Trump’s economic plan, which he described as an effort that would end in “another loss” for the United States.

Speaking to state television, Madanizadeh emphasized that the Iranian government had drawn up a two-year plan to manage these developments and had anticipated such a situation long ago.

“Our government is and has been prepared, and it has a two-year plan for managing these developments,” the minister said. He added that neither China nor Russia had accepted the U.S. sanctions, while predicting that other countries would also resist them.

“We also have our own tools and know how to play this game,” he concluded.