Amid the ongoing tenuous ceasefire between Iran and the US, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Thursday warned Tehran to accept a nuclear deal or face consequences of its remaining infrastructure, power generation and energy industry getting hit.Hegseth was referring to the “nuclear deal” under which the US proposes that Iran put on old all its nuclear programmes. The military blockade of Iran’s ports will continue “as long as it takes”, said Hegseth adding US remained “locked and loaded” to attack Iran’s energy facilities.Hegseth, addressing the media in Washington DC, struck an aggressive tone as he maintained the US military was monitoring Iran’s military movements during the pause in fighting, which currently is meant to extend through early next week.Hegseth claimed each of Iran’s movement is exposed. “We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation and on your energy industry,” he said.“We are reloading with more power than ever before…even more importantly, better intelligence than ever before,” Hegseth said.The Pentagon chief said the US preferred to resolve the conflict, which began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, through diplomacy. “You, Iran, can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran,” he said.In the meantime, he added, the US would maintain the naval blockade, but if Iran chose poorly, then they would have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy. The choice facing Iran, he said, was straightforward. “We prefer to do it the nice way, through a deal led by our great Vice-President (JD Vance) and negotiating team, or we can do it the hard way.”Iran, he added, was digging out remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them. “You can dig out for now. Can’t reconstitute, but we can,” he also said about Iran’s military leadership.On Iran’s nuclear programme, he said: “The war department will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon. Never.”Meanwhile Gen Dan Caine, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of staff, speaking alongside Hegseth in Washington DC confirmed that the blockade, covered all ships regardless of nationality entering or leaving Iranian ports.He explained the US navy transmitted a message to ships that saying, “Do not attempt to breach the blockade.Meanwhile, in the US, Democrats filed articles of impeachment against Hegseth for ‘high crimes and misdemeanors’.Accusations refer to attack on Iran without congressional authorization. House Democrats filed six articles of impeachment against Pete Hegseth on Wednesday.Meanwhile, the US Central Command, tasked to West Asia, said the US forces were focused, vigilant, and highly motivated as they executed a blockade on vessels attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports. “After 72 hours of enforcement, 14 vessels have turned around to comply with the blockade at the direction of American forces,” it said.