India, April 16 -- The United States warned of a sustained blockade on Iranian ports, and threatened renewing strikes on the country if Tehran refused to make a deal.

US defense secretary Pete Hegseth said that the military could blockade Iran's ports for "as long as it takes".

"If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy," AFP cited Hegseth as saying at a news conference at the Pentagon on Thursday.

Speaking about the blockade, General Dan Caine, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said it "applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports." Caine further warned that the US military will "use force" if any vessels do not comply with ...