US military: ‘locked and loaded’ to strike Iran’s power plants, energy industry if ordered

InternationalTop NewsUS military: 'locked and loaded' to strike Iran's power plants, energy industry if orderedBy Reuters -Apr 16, 2026The U.S. naval blockade of Iran is just an example of “polite” behavior during the ongoing ​ceasefire and U.S. forces are ready to strike Iran’s power plants and energy industry if ordered, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete ‌Hegseth said on Thursday. Standing alongside two of the U.S. military’s most senior officers, Hegseth said Iran needs to choose wisely as it prepares for negotiations with the United States. “We are reloading with more power than ever before, and better intelligence,” Hegseth said at a Pentagon news briefing. “We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining ​power generation, and on your energy industry. We’d rather not have to do it.” President Donald Trump’s administration expressed optimism on Wednesday about reaching a ​deal to end the Iran war, while also warning of increasing economic pressure against Iran if it remains defiant. That has included ⁠a blockade of Iran that went into effect on Monday, with the U.S. military forcing 14 ships to turn around. Dozens of U.S. warships ​and aircraft, including about 10,000 military personnel, are enforcing the blockade. Trump is hoping the effort will force Iran to accept U.S. terms for ending the war, ​which was launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28, including opening up the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which roughly one fifth of global oil and gas exports ordinarily transits. Trump has said that was also a condition of the ceasefire due to expire next week. The war has resulted in the largest-ever disruption of global ​oil and gas supplies. Analysts have said that Iran can withstand a complete halt in oil exports of up to two months before being forced to curb ​production. Hegseth, in comments aimed at the Iranian leadership, said that the blockade “is the polite way that this can go.” READY TO RESUME...