US warns Iran kinetic strikes remain on table
Key Takeaways
- Pete Hegseth said the US would use kinetic strikes against Iran if necessary.
- Washington unveiled wider secondary sanctions under "Operation Economic Outcast".
- Scott Bessent warned entities helping Iran could lose access to the US dollar system.
Pete Hegseth said Washington would use military force if necessary as the Trump administration rolled out tougher secondary sanctions against Iran.
The United States has warned that military strikes against Iran remain an option as the Trump administration steps up its economic pressure campaign against Tehran.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth said during an appearance in Wisconsin on Monday that Washington had not ruled out further strikes around Iran or the Strait of Hormuz.
"Is it fair to say kinetic strikes are on pause right now?" Hegseth was asked.
"No, if we need to use kinetic strikes, we'll use them. If Iran is foolish enough to, to, to overplay their hand or mess with the American military, we'll do what we need to do," Hegseth hit back.
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"But economic pressure, we know, hurts them the most right now. And, but by no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran."
His comments came as the Trump administration unveiled wider secondary sanctions targeting countries and businesses that continue to do business with Iran.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the sanctions campaign as "Operation Economic Outcast" and vowed to "tighten the noose" on Tehran.
"Let me be clear, any entity that facilitates money laundering on behalf of Iran will be removed from the US dollar system," Bessent said.
Bessent called the measures "economic D-Day" and the "toughest sanctions in history", while Tehran has accused Washington of "economic terrorism".
The Treasury Secretary warned that countries and businesses providing economic support to Iran could face penalties and be isolated from the United States.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
