"At the same time, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and our friends over at Treasury are launching Operation 'Economic Fury' as well, maximizing economic pressure across the entirety of the government," Hegseth told reporters.
On Blockade
The United States is going to maintain its ongoing blockade against Iran for as long as required, Hegseth said, warning Tehran of renewed attacks if it makes "poor" choices during negotiations.
"Iran can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge ... In the meantime and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this blockade," Hegseth said during a press briefing. "But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy."
On NATO
Hegseth also accused NATO countries of failing to support Washington when it needed them most during its military operation against Iran.
"When shots were fired and those [NATO] countries were needed the most, they weren't there. They weren't in the Strait [of Hormuz]. They weren't alongside us," Hegseth told a briefing.
He added, however, that the United States would welcome these countries joining even at a later stage.
On April 1, Trump said that he was strongly considering withdrawing the US from NATO after the allies refused to join the US-Israeli war on Iran. He said he no longer saw Europe as a reliable defense partner after the Europeans rejected his call to send warships to the strategic waterway.
On Ceasefire
Hegseth said on Thursday that Iran's motivation to maintain the ceasefire with the US is "very high."
"Their [Iran's] motivation to want to stay in the ceasefire is very high," Hegseth told a briefing.
Other Statements
US forces are postured in the Middle East to their maximum in case of a need to resume military operations against Iran, Hegseth said.
"So after the chairman concludes, we'll ask Admiral Cooper to share a quick update on the ground truth from his trip to the region as he continues to implement an iron clad blockade and ensures that our forces are maximally postured to restart combat operations," Hegseth told a briefing.
US President Donald Trump is not influenced by Israel when making decisions on Iran, Hegseth said.
"Not a single thing has been foisted upon the president of the United States. President Trump makes his own decisions about the interests of this country and defending our interest, and then working with allies and partners, in this case, Israel, who's got a lot of will and a lot of capabilities, which we're grateful for," Hegseth told a briefing, when asked to comment on claims that the policy of zero enrichment for the Iranians was foisted upon Trump by the Israelis.
China has assured the United States that it will not send weapons shipments to Iran, Hegseth said.
"Well, as you know, [US] President [Donald] Trump has a very strong and direct relationship with [Chinese] President Xi [Jinping], and they've communicated on that [weapons shipments], and China has assured us that that indeed is not going to happen," Hegseth told reporters, when asked to comment on reports that the US intelligence indicated China was preparing weapons shipments to Iran during the ceasefire.