U.S. Defense Secretary praises Treasury sanctions on Iran, says U.S. ready to deter changes in South China Sea

What happened: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the economic pressure applied by the U.S. Treasury on Iran is "very important" and that the United States is prepared to prevent any attempt to change the status quo in the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean. (Source: Fardanews)

Additional claims attributed to Hegseth: He said former President Donald Trump is determined to counter what Hegseth described as a long-term threat posed by Iran and Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. (Source: Entekhab)

Unverified or further assertions in other reports: One outlet quoted Hegseth as saying Iran has accumulated a large conventional missile arsenal. The same report reiterated his comment that Treasury pressure on Iran is highly important and repeated the statement about Trump’s determination to confront Iran’s alleged long-term threat and nuclear ambitions. (Source: Khabar Fori)

Initial synthesis; final edit pending