Hegseth threatens Iran infrastructure attacks if cease-fire fails

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth renewed threats Thursday to attack Iran's electrical and energy infrastructure if the cease-fire between Washington and Tehran breaks down, speaking during a Pentagon briefing to reporters.

"Our forces are maximally postured to restart combat operations should this new Iranian regime choose poorly and not agree to a deal," Hegseth said. "We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation and on your energy industry."

He added that the military would prefer to avoid such action but stood ready to proceed. "We'd rather not have to do it, but we're ready to go at the command of our president and at the push of a button," Hegseth stated.

General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stood alongside Hegseth during the briefing but did not provide additional comment on the threat.

Earlier Thursday, Hegseth criticised media coverage of the conflict with Iran, accusing the press of focusing only on negative narratives and "impugning" US actions. Speaking in Washington, he praised what he described as "historic success" by US troops and "incredible battlefield victory."

Under international law, intentionally targeting a country's energy infrastructure could constitute a war crime. The threat comes as negotiations between the United States and Iran's new regime continue, with the cease-fire contingent on reaching a broader agreement between the two nations.