"If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy," said US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. WASHINGTON: US forces in the Middle East are postured to restart combat operations immediately if Iran doesn't agree to a peace deal, top American military officials said on Thursday (Apr 16). As part of a campaign to pressure Tehran to sign an agreement, US military forces are mounting a blockade on all ships seeking to enter or leave Iran. "