Hegseth refuses to rule out US strikes on Iran amid sanctions

Hegseth refuses to rule out US strikes on Iran amid sanctions Nicole Wootton-Cane Tuesday 25 August 2026 02:59 BST Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks Close popover Trump administration announces 'economic onslaught' on Iran U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said ⁠on Monday that President Donald Trump's administration ⁠was ​not ruling ⁠out using military ⁠force against Iran . "By no ‌means are we ‌foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere ⁠in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran," Hegseth told reporters, adding that ‌Iran could ​not ‌handle the ⁠economic pressure being ⁠put on it. The warning follows U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's announcement of an economic D-Day featuring new sanctions against Tehran. Bessent cautioned that an unnamed financial institution is set to face U.S. sanctions by the end of the week. Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh also asserted that Iran is fully prepared and that the U.S. cannot cut off its financial arteries. In full Iran war latest: Hegseth says US strikes possible against Tehran after ‘economic D Day’ plan unveiled