In recent statements, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has described the ongoing conflict in Iran as “a gift to the world.” He asserted that the American naval blockade of Iranian maritime traffic will remain in effect “as long as it takes.” Hegseth made these comments during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Friday.

He emphasised that the maritime restrictions are vital for what he termed a “bold and dangerous” initiative to counteract Iran’s perceived threats to global stability. American officials claim that the blockade has successfully intercepted 34 vessels; however, marine monitoring data suggests that Iran is continuing to export sanctioned oil despite these restrictions.

According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, there is a consistent stream of undisclosed fleet activity in the Persian Gulf. This includes 11 tankers allegedly transporting Iranian oil that reportedly left the Gulf of Oman since April 13.

Iran Issues Warning and Highlights Domestic Resilience

Responding to the US position, Iranian Defence Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik has warned that a considerable portion of the nation’s missile capabilities remain unutilised. He claimed that Iranian armed forces maintain complete control over the aerial zones of “occupied territories” until the moments preceding the ceasefire.

Talaei-Nik further underscored domestic resilience, touting public support as a “social miracle” following the cessation of hostilities. He stated that more than 30 million citizens have registered in the “Sacrifice” campaign, which he termed “an unparalleled example of popular mobilisation worldwide.”

The General directly challenged American strategies by alleging that “the enemy” aims to incite internal disorder. However, he asserted that public vigilance and coordinated actions by security agencies have ensured that the nation remains “secure, stable, and cohesive.”

Diplomatic Developments and Internal Iranian Dynamics

This strong stance from the Iranian military coincided with a report from the US-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which identified divisions within the Iranian leadership. The report notes that Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi and his close allies in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) have obstructed attempts by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other more pragmatic officials to steer the regime towards a “flexible negotiating position.”

Despite these internal rifts, it has been confirmed that US diplomats Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to travel to Pakistan on Saturday for “new round of talks” with Iranian representatives. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt disclosed that this meeting was initiated by Tehran, following a call from the US President urging dialogue.

While prominent advisers are set to brief President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, notable absences will include Vance and Ghalibaf, the head of the Iranian delegation in the initial discussions. This diplomatic engagement follows an announcement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about a “timely tour” to Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow aimed at coordinating closely with Iran’s partners.

Although US representatives are expected to be in proximity for the forthcoming negotiations, there has been no explicit confirmation regarding a scheduled meeting between the American delegation and Iranian officials. Secretary Hegseth remarked at the Pentagon that President Trump believes the US “has all the time in the world” and is not in a hurry to secure a deal, while suggesting that Iran has an opportunity to negotiate a “good deal, a wise deal.”

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