Vahid Online in English

Automated AI translations of Vahid Online reporting. Exported from the Telegram Channel. Original content also available on X/Twitter.

← Back to latest feed

16 Apr 2026, 16:23

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said at a press conference at the Pentagon on Thursday that U.S. forces in the Middle East are positioned to resume combat operations if Iran does not agree to a peace deal.
He addressed senior Iranian officials, saying, "As our negotiators have said, you can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope you do this for the people of Iran."
The U.S. Secretary of Defense emphasized that the United States will continue the maritime blockade of Iran "for as long as necessary," which includes vessels of any nationality attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports.
Hegseth then warned, "But if Iran makes a bad choice, it will face a blockade and bombardment of its infrastructure, electricity, and energy."
General Dan Keen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also commented on the ongoing ceasefire at the press conference, stating, "I want to emphasize that during this pause, the U.S. joint force remains on standby and is capable of resuming extensive combat operations at any moment."
Regarding the maritime blockade of Iran, he announced, "We will actively pursue any ship flying the Iranian flag or any vessel attempting to provide logistical support to Iran."
Keen added that ships attempting to break the blockade will be stopped and warned that "if you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force."
He clarified that these actions will be carried out both in Iranian territorial waters and in international waters.
@VahidHeadline
The U.S. Secretary of Defense stated that the Islamic Republic likes to claim it controls the Strait of Hormuz, but this is not true, as they essentially have no navy.
Pete Hegseth added that the Islamic Republic's threat to fire on commercial ships is not control, but rather piracy and terrorism.
He continued, "Iran's energy industry has not yet been destroyed, but the U.S. blockade has halted exports."
The U.S. Secretary of Defense warned that if Iran's infrastructure has not been destroyed, it is due to the opportunity President Trump has provided for negotiation and agreement.
He further stated that the U.S. Navy controls traffic in the strait and does so with less than 10% of its naval capacity.
@VahidHeadline
@VahidOOnLine
@VahidHeadline
Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, said that the Houthis did not enter the Iran war, and that was a good decision.
Regarding Mojtaba Khamenei's situation, he said, "It seems he is injured and alive."
@VahidOOnLine
Major General Amir Hatami, Commander of the Islamic Republic Army, said on Thursday, April 27, at a ceremony welcoming the Dena destroyer forces, that the enemy does not approach the Iranian Navy beyond a certain limit.
Hatami emphasized the activities of the Islamic Republic Navy, stating, "They say they have destroyed the Iranian Navy, but they maintain a distance of 200-300 kilometers from it."
@VahidOOnLine

📡 @VahidOnline

Mapped locations (4)

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors