The United States has launched a sweeping pressure campaign against Iran, combining a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz with a new financial crackdown called “Economic Fury.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US is “locked and loaded,” warning that failure to reach a deal could trigger strikes on Iran’s energy and power infrastructure. As ships turn back and sanctions tighten, Washington is escalating both military and economic pressure in what analysts call a full-spectrum strategy. At the same time, Hegseth sparked controversy by attacking media coverage, using a biblical analogy to accuse reporters of bias.