US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Shinas, Oman, March 11, 2026. Photo: Reuters

No evidence Iran has mined Strait of Hormuz, Hegseth says

The assessment ​by Hegseth contrasts with news reports ⁠earlier this week suggesting Iran ​had deployed about a dozen mines ​in the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for a fifth of the world's oil.

Smoke rises after an explosion during strikes on Iran, seen in Tehran, on 2 March 2026. Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters

US warns of 'highest volume of strikes' as top Iranian leaders join Tehran march

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Photo: Reuters

Hegseth slams 'fat generals,' says US officers should resign if they don't support his agenda