Pete Hegseth Threatens “Devastating” U.S. Firepower Over Iranian Attacks on Shipping

At a May 5 press briefing, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a stark warning to the Islamic Republic of Iran: any assault on commercial shipping or U.S. forces will provoke a “devastating” American military response. Hegseth emphasized that while the ceasefire in the region remains technically in place, the United States is prepared to respond “decisively” to threats against navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.

Hegseth highlighted the launch of “Project Freedom,” a U.S. military operation designed to keep the Strait open and end what he called “Iran’s international extortion.” Under this initiative, American destroyers have escorted two commercial vessels safely through the Strait, with hundreds more ships from various nations queued to follow. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is coordinating closely with shipping and insurance companies to ensure safe passage.

The Secretary of Defense painted a picture of a “powerful security umbrella” over the Strait, maintained by a combination of destroyers, fighter jets, drones, and reconnaissance aircraft operating around the clock. Since Project Freedom began, six vessels attempting to break the blockade from Iranian ports have been turned back, according to Hegseth.

Addressing Iran directly, Hegseth warned: “If you attack American forces or neutral commercial vessels, you will face massive and devastating U.S. firepower.” He made clear that Washington will not tolerate Iranian attempts to control international waterways or impose “taxes and tolls” on passing ships.

On the nuclear front, Hegseth reiterated the U.S. commitment to preventing Iran from developing atomic weapons, vowing to stop the buildup of what U.S. officials term “nuclear dust” — Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles — “by any means necessary.”

When pressed about President Donald Trump’s previous calls for regime change in Iran, Hegseth stated, “Trump has not given up on anything. We have the upper hand and all the cards are in Trump’s hands.” He added that the Iranian regime “kills its own innocent citizens” and that “casting off the yoke of this regime is something the Iranian people must do.”

Meanwhile, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported that since the ceasefire began, Iran has opened fire on commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region.

This aggressive posture and military buildup reflect a broader pattern of U.S. efforts to contain and confront Iran’s regional ambitions and nuclear program. The Trump administration’s refusal to ease pressure on Tehran, combined with threats of overwhelming force, risks escalating tensions in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.