US War Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a series of sharp statements directed at Iran, asserting that the American Navy has achieved complete operational control over the Strait of Hormuz. His remarks came despite Iranian announcements claiming an agreement with Oman to jointly manage maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.
"Iran knows we control the Strait of Hormuz and that oil flows through it," Hegseth stated. "They made a big bet on controlling it, and they can no longer control it."
The Defense Secretary went further, delivering an ultimatum to Tehran: "The only choice Iran has is to come to the table and actually talk about their nuclear program. They have no cards left except this one."
Hegseth's direct comments follow what has been a general silence from Washington regarding Iranian claims of a control-sharing arrangement for the strait. Iran had hoped to establish itself as the undisputed authority over the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments pass. The American response appears designed to publicly undermine Tehran's regional ambitions and expose what US officials view as weaknesses in Iran's strategic position.
