As he warned the Iranian regime to reach a deal with the U.S., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized how degraded its capabilities are.

"While you are digging out, which is exactly what you're doing digging out of bombed out and devastated facilities. We are only getting stronger," Hegseth said.

"You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them. You have no defense industry, no ability to replenish your offensive or defensive capabilities," Hegseth said.

Asked about reporting that there is U.S. intelligence indicating that China is preparing weapons shipments to Iran during the ceasefire, Defense Secretary said China has assured the U.S. this is not the case.

"President Trump has a very strong and direct relationship with President Xi, and they've communicated on that, and China has assured us that that indeed is not going to happen," Hegseth said.

Trump and Xi are expected to meet in China in May, a trip that was delayed after the start of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Despite Iranian leadership's command and control capabilities being "highly degraded," Iran has a "high incentive" to maintain in the ceasefire, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a press conference at the Pentagon Thursday.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine warned that during the ceasefire "the United States Joint Force remains postured and ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moment's notice."

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine described in detail on Thursday the current state of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, warning any ship away from trying to cross the blockade line.

"This blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports. The US action is a blockade of Iran's ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz," Caine said during a press conference at the Pentagon Thursday.

Enforcement of blockade will be in in territorial seas and international waters, Caine said. Speaking in front of a map of the strait, Caine said that 13 ships had "made the wise choice" of turning around instead of attempting to traverse the waterway.

Caine said the U.S. would "actively pursue any Iranian flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran."

"This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil," he added.