PM Netanyahu says Israel ready to resume fighting as US tightens naval blockade on Hormuz while seeking negotiations

Israel is preparing for a resumption of hostilities in Iran in case peace talks between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic are unsuccessful, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday.

In a message shared to his official social media account, Netanyahu stressed the U.S. and Israel are in constant communication over U.S. contacts with the Iranian regime.

“Our goals and those of the United States are identical: We want to see the enriched material removed from Iran, we want to see the cancellation of enrichment capabilities within Iran, and of course, we want to see the opening of the straits.” 

“It is too early to say how this matter will end, or even how it will progress. In anticipation of the possibility that fighting may resume, we are prepared for any scenario,” he concluded. 

Meanwhile, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump continues to place economic pressure on Iran, in an attempt to get the regime to agree to U.S. demands. 

With the two-week ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday, regional actors, such as Pakistan and Turkey, have been pushing for a renewal of the ceasefire. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. has not “formally requested an extension of the ceasefire.” 

“At this moment, we remain very much engaged in these negotiations, in these talks,” Leavitt said. She further stated there are “discussions” about additional in-person negotiations, while stating “nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House.” 

On Thursday, during a briefing at the Pentagon, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that the U.S. is also prepared to restart combat operations in Iran if no agreement is reached. 

“We’d prefer to do it the nice way through a deal led by our vice president and negotiating team,” Hegseth said, “or we can do it the hard way. We urge this new regime to choose wisely.” 

Hegseth further stated that the Iranian regime “can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran,” but noted that if not, “they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy.” 

“We are watching you,” the secretary stated. “Your capabilities are not the same as ours. Remember, this is not a fair fight.” 

Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that the U.S. is preparing the “financial equivalent” of a bombing campaign. 

Bessent said the administration has “told companies, we have told countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, that if Iranian money is sitting in your banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions, which is a very stern measure. And the Iranians should know that this is going to be the financial equivalent of what we saw in the kinetic activities.” 

🚨 HOLY SMOKES. Sec. Scott Bessent just said that because Iran BOMBED Gulf neighbors, those countries are suddenly opening up Iranian regime BANK accounts to Treasury

So he can FREEZE their assets! Checkmate playing out. 🔥

"What may prove to be FATAL mistakes the Iranians made… pic.twitter.com/nVyuta0Ehf

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 15, 2026

On Tuesday, the Treasury Department sent a letter to financial institutions in China, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, threatening to levy secondary sanctions for countries or institutions doing business with Iran. 

However, Iranian leadership appears to be holding a firm stance, with leaders saying they are prepared for a resumption of conflict. 

“We are subject to the decisions of the relevant officials, but personally I do not agree to extend the ceasefire,” Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and current advisor to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, according to Iranian state media. 

While Rezaei urged Iranian officials to be more cautious than in previous negotiations with the U.S., he also said Iran is setting the preconditions for additional talks, not the U.S. 

Yesterday, an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel tried to evade the U.S. blockade after leaving Bandar Abbas, exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and transiting along the Iranian coastline. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) successfully redirected the vessel, which is… pic.twitter.com/EUnwhwYiDv

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026

“Unlike the Americans who are afraid of continuous war, we are fully prepared and familiar with a long war,” he was reported as saying. 

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the blockade on Iranian ships is working, claiming, “Ten vessels have now been turned around, and ZERO ships have broken through since the start of the U.S. blockade on Monday.”