US Defence Secretary Pete Hagsett has stated that the United States does not rule out the use of military force against Iran, whilst Washington has imposed new sanctions on nearly 60 organisations, individuals and vessels as part of a wide-ranging effort to exert economic pressure on Tehran.
“We are by no means ruling out the possibility of military strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran,” Hagsett told journalists on 24 August, adding that Iran would be unable to withstand the economic pressure being exerted on it.
These comments came after the US Treasury Department announced the launch of an “economic offensive” against Iran and warned that countries which continue to support Tehran risk becoming “global outcasts”.
Washington states that this campaign is aimed at severing the economic lifelines supporting the Iranian government and further isolating Tehran on the international stage.
Earlier this month, the US Defence Secretary noted that the American armed forces could maintain a naval blockade of Iran for an indefinite period, adding that Washington could station its warships in the region if necessary.