Hegseth warns 'now they pay' after third wave of US strikes on Iran

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stark warning to Iran on Saturday, declaring that the country would now pay the price after the United States launched its third round of strikes this week. The strikes, announced by U.S. Central Command (Centcom) at around 7:30 p.m. ET, marked an escalation in the ongoing conflict over the Strait of Hormuz, according to Raw Story.

Raw Story‘Now they pay’: World braces as Pete Hegseth issues ominous threat against Iran

Centcom stated the strikes were a direct response to an Iranian attack on a container ship transiting the strait. "The United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait," Centcom said in a social media statement, as reported by Raw Story.

The targeted vessel was the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship. Middle East Eye reported that a civilian crew member was missing and the ship suffered significant engine-room damage and an onboard fire, leaving it unable to continue its journey. Iran's IRGC Navy claimed it attacked the vessel after it used an unauthorized route and ignored warnings.

"Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay."

Hegseth's post on X, shared moments after the strikes, underscores a shift toward more aggressive military posture, according to Raw Story. The use of the phrase "now they pay" suggests the U.S. is no longer content with measured responses, a tone echoed across multiple outlets including Mediaite, which reported that Hegseth confirmed the U.S. would make Iran pay for attacking the ship and threatening the strait.

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MediaitePete Hegseth Vows US Will Make Iran ‘Pay’ for Attacking Ship and Closing Strait of HormuzMilitaryUS Central Command Says it is Striking Iran in Response to Attack on Civilian Vessel in Strait of Hormuz

This latest round of strikes, the third of the week, comes as the U.S. military continues to target Iranian assets accused of threatening commercial shipping. The escalating cycle of attacks and threats raises the risk of a broader confrontation in the region, with both sides signaling a readiness to increase pressure.