Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Monday, August 24, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Monday, August 24, 2026
Hegseth says US is not ruling out military force against Iran
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says President Donald Trump’s administration is not ruling out using military force against Iran, even as Washington unveiled an “economic D-Day” sanctions regime against Tehran.
“By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran,” Hegseth tells reporters, adding that Iran cannot handle the economic pressure being put on it.
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
The Times of Israel Community.
JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY
Already a member? Log in here