US Warns Iran Amid Naval Blockade and Escalating Tensions

The United States has issued a stark warning to Iran as efforts to negotiate a peace deal remain deadlocked, signaling its readiness to escalate military action if Tehran does not comply with its terms. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the statement during a briefing at the Pentagon, where he described the U.S. military as "locked and loaded" and emphasized that it is "maximally postured" to resume combat operations at a moment's notice. Hegseth pointed to the ongoing U.S. naval blockade