US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine brief the media on the latest developments on Iran, from the Pentagon in Arlington on Friday, April 24.

The United States maintains its naval blockade of Iranian ports, with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remaining a key sticking point in negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

US President Donald Trump stated American forces have orders to ‘shoot and kill’ any small Iranian boats attempting to lay mines. Earlier this week, he said he was extending the ceasefire - set to expire last Wednesday - "until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal."