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US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: The United States has stepped up pressure on Iran, with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calling Washington’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz “ironclad” and warning Tehran over its nuclear ambitions. Hegseth claimed the US now controls the strategic waterway and said President Donald Trump has “all the options he needs on the table” if Iran continues to challenge Washington.
The latest US-Iran war developments also include fresh American sanctions targeting Iran’s energy, shipping, technology, gold and digital-asset sectors. Washington has separately intensified pressure on Iranian airlines and oil-smuggling networks.
Meanwhile, Trump said Iran faced “the easy way or the hard way”, as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remained deadlocked amid continuing concerns over a possible escalation.
US Says Strait of Hormuz Blockade Is ‘Ironclad’
Hegseth said the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was “ironclad”, claiming Washington rather than Iran now controls the strategically important waterway.
“Iran wants to play games with things like the Strait of Hormuz. They don’t control it, we do,” Hegseth told reporters.
The US defense secretary claimed Iran had “literally gotten nothing through” the strait while traffic was approaching pre-war levels. Hegseth said the United States was in a “very strong position” and that Trump would have multiple options available if Iran continued to challenge Washington. The Strait of Hormuz remains a major focus because of its importance to international energy shipments and global oil markets.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Hegseth Warns Iran Over Nuclear Weapons
The US-Iran tensions have also intensified over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Hegseth said Trump would retain “all the options he needs on the table” if Iran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions. He warned that Tehran could otherwise face “the hard way”.
“Iran will never, ever, ever have a nuclear weapon,” Hegseth told reporters. According to Hegseth, Trump is “hell-bent and determined” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The defense secretary added that the Pentagon was working to maximise Trump’s “decision space” and preserve military options if further action against Iran became necessary.
Trump Says Iran Faces ‘Easy Way or Hard Way’
Trump separately said Iran faced “the easy way or the hard way” as Washington considered its next steps. The US president said Iran had been “decimated” during the conflict and suggested that the United States was now in a position to determine what happens next. Trump also claimed Iran was “virtually giving up any plans of a nuclear weapon” and said oil prices were coming down.
His comments came as diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran remained unresolved, with concerns continuing over whether hostilities could resume or intensify.
US Expels Two Iranian UN Delegation Members
The latest US-Iran tensions have also affected diplomatic relations.
Two members of Iran’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly were expelled from the United States after allegedly failing to comply with a State Department order to leave, according to a US official cited by Axios.
The Iranian mission was reportedly informed that its delegation had to depart immediately. US authorities later told the mission that two members remained in New York and again demanded that they leave.
One member reportedly departed Friday night, while the second left Saturday morning. The development comes against the backdrop of worsening relations between Washington and Tehran.
US Expands Iran Sanctions to Energy and Shipping
The United States has widened its sanctions campaign against Iran, with measures covering sectors including energy, shipping, technology, gold and digital assets.
Washington says the sanctions are intended to restrict financial channels and commercial networks that it says support the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The latest sanctions form part of a broader US strategy aimed at putting economic pressure on Tehran and limiting revenue streams connected to Iran’s government and military-linked networks.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Iran Airlines Face New US Sanctions
Iran’s aviation sector has also come under additional US sanctions pressure. Washington has warned foreign companies and service providers that they could face secondary sanctions if they support Iranian airlines targeted by US restrictions.
The US Treasury last month sanctioned Iranian airlines that had not previously been targeted, along with companies outside Iran that Washington accused of supporting Iran’s aviation industry.
Iranian carriers have faced US restrictions for years, limiting their access to aircraft, spare parts and maintenance services.
US Targets Iran Oil Smuggling Networks
The US Treasury has also targeted networks that Washington says are involved in Iranian oil smuggling and sanctions evasion.
The department said its sanctions campaign had identified networks, facilitators and financial channels allegedly used to move Iranian oil, evade sanctions and generate revenue.
Washington says the measures are designed to cut economic lifelines supporting the Iranian government and the IRGC.
The latest action reflects the US administration’s wider effort to target Iran’s oil revenues and financial networks.
Why Is the Strait of Hormuz Important?
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important waterways because of its role in international energy trade.
Any disruption to shipping through the strait can raise concerns about oil supplies, transportation costs and global energy prices.
That makes the latest US claims regarding control of the waterway particularly significant for international markets. However, claims made by officials during an active conflict can be disputed and may change as the situation develops.
What Happens Next in the US-Iran War?
The latest statements indicate that Washington is maintaining pressure on Tehran through military, diplomatic and economic measures.
Hegseth has stressed that military options remain available, while Trump has warned Iran that it faces an “easy way or hard way”. At the same time, the United States continues to use sanctions against Iranian energy, shipping, aviation and financial networks.
The immediate outlook remains uncertain as diplomatic efforts remain unresolved and tensions continue over Iran’s nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz.
Any further military action, changes to shipping through the waterway or new diplomatic initiatives could have wider implications for the Middle East and global energy markets.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Key Takeaways
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Strait of Hormuz: Hegseth called the US blockade “ironclad” and claimed Washington controls the waterway.
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Iran nuclear programme: Hegseth warned that Iran will not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
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Trump warning: The US president said Iran faces “the easy way or the hard way”.
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US sanctions: Washington has expanded pressure across energy, shipping, technology, gold and digital assets.
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Iran airlines: Foreign companies supporting sanctioned Iranian carriers could face secondary sanctions.
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Oil smuggling: The US Treasury says it is targeting networks involved in Iranian oil smuggling and sanctions evasion.
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Diplomatic tensions: Two Iranian UN delegation members were reportedly expelled from the US after failing to leave as ordered.
