Pentagon Officials Signal Critical Phase in Iran Conflict

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine addressed reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday regarding the ongoing military conflict with Iran.

During the news conference, Hegseth asserted that "the upcoming days will be decisive" in the confrontation. He claimed that Iran is aware of this reality and possesses limited military recourse.

Hegseth further stated that American military firepower is escalating, contrasting this with a reported decline in Iran's capabilities. "Just one month in — only one month — we set the terms," Hegseth emphasized.

Strait of Hormuz and International Pressure

The officials discussed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global waterway. Hegseth noted that vessel traffic through the strait has increased compared to previous periods.

He reiterated President Trump's stance to Iran: "open it for business or we have options, and we certainly do." Hegseth echoed the President's call for international partners to assume responsibility for securing the passage.

President Trump's Demands for Allies

President Trump, speaking to CBS News' Weijia Jiang on Tuesday morning, indicated he was not yet ready to cease efforts to compel Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Mr. Trump expressed frustration that other nations had not committed military assets to support the U.S.-Israeli efforts against Iran. He insisted that "countries have to come in and take care of it."

In a social media post early Tuesday, the President directly addressed allies like the United Kingdom, urging them to secure their own oil supplies. He advised them to "go get your own oil" by seizing control of the Strait.

The President's message included a warning: "You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us."

Negotiations and Military Objectives

Hegseth stated that if Iran acts wisely, a diplomatic deal is possible, noting the President is prepared to negotiate based on terms already known to Tehran.

However, he warned that if no agreement is reached, the U.S. "will continue with even more intensity." Hegseth confirmed that negotiations remain "very real" and are "active and, I think, gaining strength," despite Democratic inquiries.

The primary goal remains a deal where Iran relinquishes certain material and ambitions and opens the strait. Hegseth clarified his prior statement: "We don't want to do more militarily than we have to. But I didn't mean it flippantly when I said that in the meantime, we'll negotiate with bombs."

General Caine confirmed the joint force's focus on military objectives, aiming to "systematically continue to degrade and destroy Iran's ability to project power." This includes targeting Iran's ballistic missile and Unmanned Aircraft Systems capabilities and their supply chains.

Impact on U.S. Energy Prices

The briefing followed an incident where an Iranian drone struck a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai, targeting energy infrastructure. This occurred as the average U.S. gas price surpassed $4 per gallon.

Kuwait's state-owned oil company reported that the Kuwaiti Very Large Crude Oil Carrier Al-Salmi was hit by a "direct and malicious Iranian attack" while anchored at Dubai Port in the UAE.

Gas prices have risen significantly since the U.S. and Israel initiated attacks on Iran on February 28, increasing by over a dollar in the last month, according to AAA data. This marks the first time the national average has exceeded $4 since August 2022.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Tuesday that prices will "plummet back to the multi-year lows American drivers enjoyed before these short-term disruptions" once the conflict concludes. She affirmed Mr. Trump's commitment to "fully unleashing American energy dominance."

U.S.-Israel Coordination

On Monday, U.S. Central Command reported that Commander Admiral Brad Cooper met with Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, in Israel over Sunday and Monday.

Their discussions centered on progress in operations designed to eliminate Iran's external power projection capabilities. The CENTCOM statement emphasized the enduring strength of the U.S.-Israel defense partnership and the need for continued coordination.