Hegseth warns Iran that US forces will ‘shoot to destroy’ any ships laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

Rep. Wesley Hunt said Iran is acting out of desperation and urged the U.S. to “finish the job” during an appearance on Fox & Friends, a clip he later shared on X.

Speaking with Brian Kilmeade, Hunt described Iran’s recent actions in the Strait of Hormuz as the “gasping cries of a dying animal,” arguing that Tehran’s remaining capability is limited to disrupting global shipping.

“We’ve done the hard part. Now we finish the job,” Hunt said, comparing the current phase of the conflict to a “spot check” after completing a major project, where follow-through is needed to ensure results hold.

In his post on X, Hunt reiterated that Iran’s navy and forces have been “crushed” and framed the current moment as a final phase of Operation Epic Fury.

Reza Pahlavi posted a video to X on Friday criticizing European media coverage of unrest in Iran, accusing journalists of ignoring what he described as mass killings and political executions.

In the video, Pahlavi said he recently held press conferences in Stockholm and Berlin attended by more than 150 journalists, claiming that none asked about “40,000 Iranians” he said were killed during protests or about political prisoners facing execution.

He argued that European media has “abdicated their professional responsibilities” by focusing more on criticism of the U.S. and Israel than on the actions of the Iranian regime.

The remarks come a day after Pahlavi was splattered with red liquid while leaving a press conference in Berlin, according to reporting from The Associated Press. He was not injured, and German police detained a suspect at the scene. Authorities said the substance appeared to be tomato juice.

Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former shah, has been traveling across Europe in recent weeks seeking to rally support and position himself in discussions about Iran’s future. He said in the video he will continue advocating for a democratic Iran regardless of international backing.

Pentagon officials are weighing potential ways to pressure NATO allies over their level of support during the Iran conflict, according to a report by Reuters.

Citing a U.S. official, Reuters reports that an internal email prepared by top policy adviser Elbridge Colby outlines options including suspending Spain from certain alliance roles and reconsidering U.S. backing of European territorial claims such as the Falkland Islands.

The proposals reflect frustration within the Trump administration over what officials see as allies’ reluctance to provide access, basing, and overflight rights during operations tied to war with Iran, particularly as the U.S. works to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

A NATO official told Reuters there is no formal mechanism to suspend a member, underscoring the largely symbolic nature of such a move, while Spain’s government dismissed the report and said it does not act on internal U.S. deliberations.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that the U.S. has sanctioned multiple cryptocurrency wallets tied to Iran, resulting in the freeze of roughly $344 million in digital assets.

The action, carried out by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, is part of the administration’s broader “Economic Fury ” campaign aimed at cutting off Iran’s access to global financial networks.

In a statement, Bessent said Treasury will continue to “systematically degrade” Tehran’s ability to generate, move and repatriate funds, including through digital currencies that can be used to bypass traditional banking systems.

Officials say the crackdown reflects an increasing focus on Iran’s use of cryptocurrency and shadow financial channels to sustain operations amid mounting sanctions pressure.

The move comes as the U.S. expands efforts to target Iran’s revenue streams.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday leading an Iranian delegation for meetings with Pakistan’s top leadership, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Araghchi was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with Army Chief Asim Munir and other senior officials.

The visit is expected to focus on regional developments and ongoing efforts tied to stability and diplomacy, as tensions linked to the Iran conflict continue to ripple across the region.

The U.S. Embassy in London issued a security alert Friday advising Americans in the United Kingdom to “exercise increased caution” following recent attacks and threats targeting Jewish and U.S.-linked institutions across the UK and Europe.

The alert, published by the U.S. Mission to the United Kingdom, warns U.S. citizens, particularly those visiting sites tied to Jewish or American communities, to remain vigilant.

Officials are urging travelers to stay alert in tourist areas, places of worship, and community centers, review personal security plans, and monitor local media for updates.

The embassy also encouraged Americans to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time security notifications.

The alert comes as officials warn the Iran conflict could spill beyond the region, with increased threats to Jewish and U.S.-linked sites across Europe.

The Trump administration on Friday imposed new sanctions targeting a China-based oil refinery and nearly 40 vessels involved in transporting Iranian crude, according to The Associated Press.

The Treasury Department’s action includes a major facility operated by Hengli Petrochemical, which officials say has processed Iranian oil and generated revenue tied to the regime.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. will continue targeting the network of ships, intermediaries and buyers that support Iran’s oil exports.

In a separate statement, the U.S. Department of State said the sanctions are part of an intensified effort to disrupt Iran’s illicit oil trade and cut off funding for its regional activities.

The move follows through on President Donald Trump’s pledge to impose secondary sanctions on entities doing business with Iran.

Swiss diplomatic staff have returned to Tehran to begin preparations for a gradual reopening of the country’s embassy, according to reporting from Iran International.

Switzerland’s foreign ministry said four staff members re-entered Iran on April 20, traveling overland via Azerbaijan, after the embassy was closed last month due to security concerns tied to the regional conflict.

The team is now preparing the “gradual resumption of operations” following the March 11 shutdown, marking a cautious step toward restoring a diplomatic presence in Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is heading to Islamabad, Pakistan, but there are "no negotiations with the Americans on the agenda at the moment," according to Iran's Tasnim news agency.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier Friday that he is "embarking on a timely tour" of Islamabad, Pakistan, Moscow, Russia, and Muscat, Oman, to "closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later told "America Reports" on Friday that U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, are heading back to Pakistan for U.S.-Iran talks.

"I can confirm special envoy Witoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks, direct talks inter mediated by the Pakistanis, who have been incredible friends and mediators throughout this entire process, with representatives from the Iranian delegation," Leavitt told Fox News.

The Iranian news agency said "Araghchi's visit to Islamabad is not for negotiations with the Americans... but rather he will discuss with the Pakistani side Iran's considerations regarding the end of the war.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News' "America Reports" on Friday that the U.S. Navy is doing a "tremendous job with this highly effective blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, which is exerting maximum leverage over the Iranian regime."

"We are strangling their economy, and it's getting weakened by the second," Leavitt said.

"The Iranian navy, which was once the most powerful naval fleet in the Middle East, has now been reduced to piracy. These IRGC members, these Iranian terrorists, are running around like pirates in the Strait," Leavitt added. "And President Trump, as commander in chief, has given the green light and authorization to the Department of War to take lethal and kinetic action if they deem necessary. If these boats are threatening U.S. assets in the region, they will absolutely be dealt with accordingly."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told "America Reports" on Friday that U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, are heading back to Pakistan for U.S.-Iran talks.

"I can confirm special envoy Witoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks, direct talks inter mediated by the Pakistanis, who have been incredible friends and mediators throughout this entire process, with representatives from the Iranian delegation," Leavitt told Fox News.

"Look, the Iranians reached out as the president called on them to do and asked for this in-person conversation. So the president is dispatching Steve and Jared to go hear what they have to say," Leavitt said. "And we're hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward towards a deal."

"The president always wants to give diplomacy a chance. It's always his first option, and he is willing to do that here again. The vice president remains deeply involved in this entire process, and he'll be standing by here in the United States, along with the president and the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the entire national security team for updates. And, of course, everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary. But first, Steve and Jared will be going over there to report back to the president, the vice president and the rest of the team," Leavitt also said.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that he is "embarking on a timely tour" of Islamabad, Pakistan, Moscow, Russia, and Muscat, Oman, to "closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments."

"Our neighbors are our priority," Araghchi said on X as the U.S. and Iran are in the middle of a ceasefire during Operation Epic Fury.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Friday that, "Iran has a historic chance to make a serious deal, and the ball is in their court.”

“Either way, the War Department stands ready for what comes next. Locked and loaded," Hegseth added.

The remarks come after a scheduled second round of U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad failed to materialize this week. Vice President JD Vance and the rest of the U.S. delegation never departed. Reports indicated the Iranians said they would not negotiate again in person until the U.S. stopped its blockade.

Vance, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, traveled to Pakistan for the first round of talks with the Iranians earlier this month, but no deal was reached.

The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that “an ambulance used by Hezbollah to conceal weapons” was located during searches in southern Lebanon.

The announcement comes a day after President Donald Trump announced a 3-week extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.

“Hezbollah uses ambulances and medical teams as cover for transporting weapons and operatives, undermining the special protections granted to medical facilities and equipment under international law,” the IDF said.

“Among the weapons found were explosive devices, mortar shells, magazines, and a grenade,” it added.

The IDF also said Friday that in a separate incident in the last month, “troops under the command of the 7th Brigade encountered a Hezbollah terrorist operating adjacent to an ambulance and carrying an RPG weapon.”

“The terrorist fired at the troops and was struck and eliminated. Following the encounter, weapons were uncovered inside the ambulance, which had been used by the terrorist to establish himself in the area and carry out attacks from a ‘protected’ position,” according to the IDF.

Fox News’ Yonat Friling contributed to this report.

More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers have signed onto a letter urging President Donald Trump's administration to protect Iranians living in the U.S. who could not safely return to Iran.

"We write to urge the Trump administration to immediately institute protections for Iranian nationals currently in the United States who cannot return home safely," the letter states.

"The Administration must not forcibly return Iranian families in the United States to Iran — where they face the dual threat of the regime’s humanitarian abuses and dangers a resumption of the war poses — and should therefore pause deportation flights and designate Iranians for temporary protection, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)," it continues.

The letter accuses the Trump administration of launching "attacks on Iran unlawfully, without the constitutionally required congressional authorization, plunging millions of innocent civilians into a state of insecurity, with the human cost of the conflict mounting daily."

"Having initiated the current war with Iran, the Trump administration bears a moral and humanitarian responsibility to provide Iranian nationals with an immediate shield from removal," the message asserts.

"The Administration should also provide assistance to Iranians in the United States while they are unable to return home, by resuming the processing of immigration benefits and expediting the issuance of work authorization documents," the letter states.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned Friday that the U.S. military “will shoot to destroy” any Iranian ships that are laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. 

“President Trump has authorized the United States Navy to destroy any Iranian fast boats that attempt to put mines in the water or disrupt passage through the Strait of Hormuz, to shoot and kill,” Hegseth said. “Our commanders have clear rules of engagement. If Iran is putting mines in the water or otherwise threatening American commercial shipping or American forces, we will shoot to destroy. No hesitation. Just like the drug boats in the Caribbean.” 

Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon that transit is occurring in the Strait of Hormuz but it’s “much more limited than anybody would like to see and with more risk than people would like to see.” 

“But that's because Iran is doing irresponsible things with small, fast boats, crafts, like I said, with weapons on them,” he said. "These are commercial ships. In some cases cruise ships, cruise ships that came through, being threatened by these."

Hegseth also said that Iran’s “battered” military, specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has been “reduced to a gang of pirates with a flag.” 

“They cloak their aggression in slogans, but the world now sees them for what they are -- criminals on the high seas. They don't control anything. They're acting like pirates, acting like terrorists. They're the ones who lay indiscriminate mines, who shoot at random ships, who killed 45,000 of their own people, innocent protesters, in the course of weeks, their own people. They are the bad actors,” Hegseth said.  

“The vessels that the Iranians seized in recent days, a couple of them, they're not American ships, they're not Israeli ships. They're just random ships where they drove their little speedboats up to and shot at those ships with AK-47's. Anyone with a speedboat, a gun and the wrong intentions can do that. They know that we, the United States of America, control the flow of global shipping, and we know that they know. Their real navy is at the bottom of the Arabian Gulf,” Hegseth added. 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine paid tribute Friday to the 63 victims of the 1983 terrorist bombing of the U.S. embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, a few days after the 43rd anniversary of the incident. 

"At that time, this was the deadliest attack on a U.S. diplomatic mission, and this was the first attack conducted by Iranian-backed forces on Americans," Caine said. 

Caine recalled how on April 18, 1983, a “suicide bomber detonated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device out in front of the embassy, killing 63 innocent people, including 32 Lebanese, 14 visitors and 17 Americans, and among those lost members of the joint force to include three Army soldiers and one United States Marine.” 

Caine named the three Army soldiers and one United States Marine who were among the victims killed in the attack. They were U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Richard Twine, Staff Sergeant Ben Maxwell, Staff Sergeant Mark Salazar and U.S. Marine Corporal Vincent McMahon.

"Today, we remember them. We carry on their memory and the memory of all our fallen and remain grateful for their sacrifice and that of their families, who continue to show us what courage looks like," Caine added. 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said two Iranian dark fleet ships remain in U.S. custody after American forces seized both vessels in the Indian Ocean this week.

Caine said U.S. Indo-Pacific Command forces on Monday, in support of a Justice Department request, “interdicted the motor tanker Tifani, which was transporting sanctioned Iranian oil.” 

“The Tifani is a very large crude tanker... and is also about the size of a U.S. aircraft carrier and capable of transporting approximately 2 million barrels of oil. At approximately 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time, U.S. military forces and law enforcement forces also went to the ship via rotary wing platforms, fast-roped onto her deck, and secured her," Caine said. 

On Wednesday, U.S. forces in the region also intercepted the “stateless motor tanker Majestic X,” Caine added. 

"At approximately 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, U.S. forces began the interdiction, again using rotary wing assets to get to the ship, got on board and secured the bridge,” Caine explained. 

“Both ships, the Tifani, the Majestic X, and their crews remain in U.S. custody, and we will continue to conduct similar maritime interdiction actions and activities in the Pacific and Indian Oceans against Iranian ships and vessels of the dark fleet,” he said. 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said Friday that the Touska, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship seized by the U.S. military this week, ignored multiple warnings about the Iranian port blockade before being hit by “disabling fire” from American forces. 

"As of this morning, 34 ships have met the U.S. blockade and made the wise choice to turn around. One ship did not. And that ship was the motor vessel Touska,” Caine said. “Over several hours this past Sunday, April 19th, the U.S. conducted maritime interdiction operations against the Touska, whose crew attempted to breach the blockade line." 

Caine described how a U.S. destroyer first approached the Touska “and the crew and the vessel ignored warnings.” 

"Upon intercept and coming within visual range, American forces began to issue several clear and unambiguous warnings and inform the vessel and their crew that they were in a violation of the U.S. blockade and directed the ship to turn around,” Caine continued. “Over a 6-hour period, the vessel and her crew repeatedly ignored U.S. warnings, and then the U.S. Navy destroyer executed a series of pre-planned, carefully calibrated escalation options, including firing five warning shots." 

"The vessel and her crew continued to ignore warnings, and after exhausting all other measures, CENTCOM authorized disabling fire against the Tuska. U.S. sailors warned the crew of the Touska to abandon the engine room, and at approximately 9 a.m. Eastern Time, the destroyer disabled the Touska engine by firing nine inert rounds from the destroyer's Mark 45 five-inch guns precisely into the engine room and engine space on board the Touska,” Caine said. 

“Not surprisingly, the vessel then reported issues with their engine, went dead in the water and began to comply with U.S. directions and orders,” he added. "At 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, CENTCOM ordered United States Marines to seize the ship. Via helicopters, U.S. Marines maneuvered quickly to the disabled ship, boarded her from fast ropes via helicopter infiltration methods, and took custody of the ship. The ship and her crew remain safe in U.S. custody today." 

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Friday that the Iranian regime has a “historic chance to make a serious deal” and that the U.S. military’s blockade is “going global.” 

"Our blockade is only growing and going global. And as the president said, we have all the time in the world. Iran has a historic chance to make a serious deal, and the ball is in their court,” Hegseth said. “Either way, the War Department stands ready for what comes next. Locked and loaded." 

"Just this week, we seized two Iranian dark fleet ships in the Indo-Pacific region that had left Iranian ports before the blockade went into effect,” Hegseth said earlier. “They thought they'd made it out just in time -- they did not. We seized their sanctioned ships and we will seize more.” 

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Friday at the Pentagon that Europe and Asia have benefitted from U.S. protection for decades, “but the time for free riding is over.”

“America and the free world deserve allies who are capable, who are loyal, and who understand that being an ally is not a one-way street. It's a two-way street,” Hegseth said as the U.S. is in a standoff with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. 

“We are not counting on Europe, but they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do, and might want to start doing less talking and having less fancy conferences in Europe and get in a boat,” Hegseth added. “This is much more their fight than ours.” 

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Friday that the U.S. military’s blockade of Iranian ports is “tightening by the hour” and that a second aircraft carrier will join the U.S. blockade effort “in just a few days.”

"No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy,” Hegseth said. “To the regime in Tehran, the blockade is tightening by the hour. We are in control. Nothing in, nothing out." 

"America's military is unmatched, projecting power, denying passage to adversaries, and protecting our interests at the time and place of our choosing,” Hegseth also said. 

"As we said previously, choose wisely at the negotiating table,” Hegseth warned Iran. “All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon and in meaningful and verifiable ways. Or instead, they can watch their regime's fragile economic state collapse under the under unrelenting pressure of American power, a blockade as long as it takes -- whatever President Trump decides. Because the bottom line remains the bottom line. Iran will never get a nuclear bomb. The choice is theirs. But with this blockade, the clock is not on their side." 

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine will hold a briefing at the Pentagon at 8 a.m. ET.

The U.S. and Iran are currently in a ceasefire during Operation Epic Fury, which began on Feb. 28.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed Friday that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. 

“Today, my annual medical report was published. I requested to delay its publication by two months so that it would not be released at the height of the war, in order not to allow the Iranian terror regime to spread even more false propaganda against Israel,” he said in a statement. 

“I had a minor medical issue with my prostate that was completely treated. Thank God, it's behind me,” Netanyahu added, noting that he is healthy and currently in “excellent physical condition.” 

Netanyahu said he underwent successful surgery for an enlarged benign prostate a year and a half ago and during his last medical monitoring, “a tiny spot of less than a centimeter was discovered in the prostate.” 

“Upon examination, it turned out to be a very early stage of a malignant tumor, with no spread or metastases whatsoever,” Netanyahu said.  

The prime minister said he underwent “targeted treatment” that removed the problem and left no signs of it. 

U.S. economic pressure on Iran has reached one of its most powerful points in decades, but inconsistent enforcement has prevented sanctions from achieving their full impact, according to a former Treasury sanctions expert.

Miad Maleki, who played a central role in Treasury Department sanctions campaigns against Iran and its network of proxy groups, said in an on-camera interview the current moment reflects a rare convergence of economic, political and diplomatic leverage against Tehran.

"We’ve never had the level of leverage that we have today with Iran in the history of our conflict … since 1979," Maleki said. 

His assessment comes as President Donald Trump signaled escalating pressure Thursday, writing on Truth Social that the United States has "total control over the Strait of Hormuz" and that it is effectively "sealed up tight" until Iran agrees to a deal.

Maleki argues the current moment marks a turning point because multiple pressure tools — sanctions, a U.S. naval blockade, and tighter enforcement — are being applied simultaneously for the first time in years. Unlike previous cycles, he said, the strategy is now directly targeting Iran’s oil exports and the networks that help move them, raising the risk of a rapid economic squeeze.

He said Iran may run out of oil storage in as little as two to three weeks, forcing production cuts, while gasoline shortages could hit on a similar timeline due to heavy reliance on imports. Combined with an estimated $435 million in daily economic losses, the pressure could spill into the financial system, leaving the regime struggling to pay salaries and raising the risk of renewed unrest.

U.S. Central Command said Friday that "for the first time in decades, three aircraft carriers are operating in the Middle East at the same time."  

The USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Gerald R. Ford and USS George H.W. Bush carry over 200 aircraft and 15,000 Sailors and Marines, according to CENTCOM. 

The last time three aircraft carriers operated in the CENTCOM area of responsibility at the same time was in 2003.

Those ships are accompanied by nine U.S. guided-missile destroyers: the USS Spruance, USS Michael Murphy, USS Donald Cook, USS Mahan, USS Winston S. Churchill, USS Frank E. Petersen, USS Mason, USS Ross and USS Bainbridge. 

President Donald Trump on Thursday shot down the idea that he may use a nuclear weapon against Iran and scolded the reporter who raised the question.

"No, I wouldn’t. We don’t need it. Why do I need it? Why would a stupid question like that be asked?" Trump fired back at the reporter.

"Why would I use a nuclear weapon, when we’ve totally, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it. No, I wouldn’t use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody," he continued.

Yesterday’s Fox News Digital live blog offers additional coverage on the Iran conflict.

President Donald Trump on Thursday said the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by three weeks.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump also said a meeting in the Oval Office with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the ambassadors to Israel and Lebanon was “historic.”

“The President of the United States, DONALD J. TRUMP, Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, and Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, met today with high-ranking representatives of Israel and Lebanon in the Oval Office,” Trump said.

“The meeting went very well! The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah.

“The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by THREE WEEKS,” he added, before stating that he would “look forward in the near future to hosting the prime minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the president of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun.”

“It was a great honor to be a participant at this very historic meeting!” Trump added.