THE NEW YORK TIMES: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Iran’s leaders to “choose wisely” and threatened more attacks. The war’s mounting economic toll has put political pressure on President Trump to find an off-ramp.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday threatened U.S. attacks on Iran’s power plants and other energy sites if its leaders did not agree to a peace deal, less than a week before a temporary cease-fire is set to expire.
Speaking at a news conference at the Pentagon, Mr. Hegseth repeatedly urged Iran’s leaders to “choose wisely” and said an American naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue “as long as it takes.” The Trump administration has alternated between assuring Americans that a peace deal was within reach and threatening Iran’s leadership if it does not comply, as the war’s economic toll has put President Trump under increasing political pressure at home.
“If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy,” Mr. Hegseth said. Under international law, intentionally targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime.
Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the news conference that U.S. Navy forces in the Pacific could be ordered to intercept ships trying to resupply Iran, which would broaden the naval blockade beyond the Middle East.
Iran threatened on Wednesday to halt all trade in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea in response to the blockade. It was unclear how much control Iran could exert over shipping in the region. Its battered armed forces can still use mines and fast boats to harass ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Its allies in Yemen, the Houthi militia, have also shown they can attack shipping in the Red Sea. Iran War Live Updates » | Eric Schmitt, John Ismay, Elian Peltier and Aurelien Breeden | Thursday, April 16, 2026
