Hegseth warns U.S. blockade will continue until Iran stops threatening shipping, and bombing could resume

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the U.S. military blockade of Iran's ports was "iron clad" as he warned Iran's military leaders: "We're watching you. Our capabilities are not the same - our military and yours. Remember, this is not a fair fight."

Hegseth said the Defense Department knows what military assets the Iranians are moving, which he said exposes them to the U.S.

"We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation and on your energy industry," he said.

Hegseth said the ongoing blockade is "the polite way this could go."

"If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy," he warned. 

He dismissed Iran's threats to international shipping, which have prevented most fuel tankers from leaving the Persian Gulf for a month and a half, as "piracy" and "terrorism."