US can still strike Hormuz targets, Hegseth warns as 'Economic D-Day' takes aim at Iran's economy
"By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran," Hegseth told reporters
Assessment
The Pentagon is keeping military options on the table even as the administration frames its pressure campaign in economic terms. Hegseth's language is deliberate: he refuses to rule out strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, which keeps Iran guessing and preserves maximum leverage. The 'Economic D-Day' framing signals a shift toward sanctions and financial pressure as the primary tool, but the threat of force remains the backdrop. Watch whether Washington pairs these warnings with concrete actions, like new designations or shipping restrictions, or if this is mostly messaging aimed at both Tehran and domestic audiences.