Hegseth Urges Iran to 'Choose Wisely' During Epic Fury Ceasefire, Blockade

View Online Hegseth Urges Iran to 'Choose Wisely' During Epic Fury Ceasefire, Blockade April 16, 2026 |  By C. Todd Lopez The U.S. and Iran entered a two-week ceasefire in combat operations April 8, and the U.S. initiated a naval blockade in the Persian Gulf for ships that have been doing business with Iran, April 13. During a press briefing at the Pentagon today, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth urged the new Iranian regime to make wise choices during this lull in combat operations, and to work in good faith toward a deal with the United States — one that President Donald J. Trump said last week might usher in a "golden age" for the Middle East — but one which would also prevent Iran from ever having a nuclear weapon. The secretary also warned Iranian military leadership, "We're watching you. Our capabilities are not the same — our military and yours. Remember, this is not a fair fight. We know what military assets you are moving and where you are moving them to." Hegseth also reminded Iranian military leadership that it no longer has the ability to reconstitute its own forces because as part of Operation Epic Fury, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed the Iranian military industrial base. "You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them," Hegseth said. "You have no defense industry, no ability to replenish your offensive or defensive capabilities ... you can move things around, but you can't actually rebuild." Regarding the U.S.  blockade on ships going to and leaving Iranian ports, the secretary told Iran that the right thing to do — to avoid continued military action and to remove the blockade — is to make a deal with U.S. negotiators.  "As our negotiators have said ... Iran can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do — for the people of Iran," Hegseth said. "In the meantime, and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this ... successful blockade." Iran making the right choice, Hegseth said, means a golden age. A bad choice means more bombs and a continued blockade. And in either case, he said, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. "The War Department will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon," he said. "We prefer to do it the nice way, through a deal led by our great vice president and negotiating team; or we can do it the hard way. We urge this new regime to choose wisely." Effective, Limited Blockade Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the very effective blockade is a targeted operation. "This blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports," Caine said. "The U.S. action is a blockade of Iran's ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Enforcement will occur inside Iran's territorial seas and in international waters." Caine said U.S. forces in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility would also pursue "dark fleet vessels" who had left Iran before the blockade was set up, including those which provide material support to Iran and those carrying Iranian oil. "As most of you know, dark fleet vessels are those illicit or illegal ships evading international regulations, sanctions or insurance requirements," Caine said. More than 10,000 sailors, Marines and airmen, over a dozen ships and dozens of aircraft are executing the blockade mission, which Caine said has proven successful in turning ships away, and which so far has not required any aggression. "Any ship that would cross the blockade would result in our sailors executing preplanned tactics designed to bring the force to that ship; [and] if need be, board the ship and take her over. That includes a series of escalated force options, which could include warning shots and others," Caine said. Using an on-screen graphic in the Pentagon briefing room, Caine showed all of the ships that opted to turn away rather than face the American blockade. "Thirteen ships have made the wise choice of turning around," Caine said. "And as we continue to hold this blockade at the order of the secretary and the president, any vessel that [fails] to comply with our instructions will be dealt with accordingly. ... As of this morning, U.S. Central Command has not been required to board any particular ships." Motivated, Focused, Vigilant, Ready Centcom Commander Adm. Bradley Cooper just returned from a second trip to the Middle East. His first trip happened while kinetic operations were underway as part of Epic Fury. His second visit was during the ceasefire and the naval blockade. During those trips, he visited with troops in 70 different locations, he said, including fighter pilots, troops who brought home the F-15 crew who were downed in Iran, teams who launch one-way attack drones into Iran, those using artificial intelligence to make faster decisions, Space Force and cyber specialists, logisticians, sustainers and air defenders who shot down Iranian ballistic missiles. "My personal assessment, after these couple of trips, is our troops are highly motivated, they're focused, they're vigilant and they're ready, and they're using this time [the ceasefire] to do a couple of things," he said. "We're rearming, we're retooling and we're adjusting our tactics, techniques and procedures. There's no military in the world that adjusts like we do, and that's exactly what we're doing right now during the ceasefire."

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Secretary of War General and Flag Officer Announcements for April 15, 2026

View Online IMMEDIATE RELEASE Secretary of War General and Flag Officer Announcements for April 15, 2026 April 15, 2026 Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced today that President Donald J. Trump has made the following nominations: Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Roger B. Turner Jr. for reappointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific and commanding general, Fleet Marine Force Pacific, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii.  Turner is currently serving as commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force and commander, Marine Forces Japan, Okinawa, Japan. Army Maj. Gen. Constantin E. Nicolet for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director, Warfighter Support, Office of the Under Secretary of War for Intelligence and Security, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.  Nicolet currently serves as special assistant to the Under Secretary of War for Intelligence and Security, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Air Force Maj. Gen. Christopher J. Niemi for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy chief of staff, Strategy, Design and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.  Niemi is currently serving as the military deputy, Air Force Futures, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith D. Reventlow for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director for Logistics, J-4, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.  Reventlow is currently serving as commanding general, Marine Corps Logistics Command, Albany, Georgia. Army Maj. Gen. Monte L. Rone for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, First U.S. Army, Rock Island, Illinois.  Rone currently serves as commanding general, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, Fort Riley, Kansas. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. George B. Rowell IV for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii.  Rowell is currently serving as director, J-5, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Thomas B. Savage for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commandant, Training and Education, and commanding general, Training and Education Command, Quantico, Virginia.  Savage is currently serving as commanding general, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.  Wellons is currently serving as special projects officer to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.  Marine Corps Col. Peter D. Houtz for appointment to the grade of brigadier general.  Houtz is currently serving as assistant judge advocate general of the Navy, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Office of the Secretary of the Navy, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Air Force Col. Deane E. Thomey for appointment to the grade of brigadier general.  Thomey is currently serving as the deputy director of Air National Guard Operations, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Secretary Hegseth also announced today that the president has made the following nominations: Navy Vice Adm. John F. Wade for reappointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as senior military assistant to the Secretary of War, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.  Wade is currently serving as commander, Third Fleet, San Diego, California. Navy Rear Adm. Douglas L. Williams, for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as director for Strategic Systems Programs, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.  Williams is currently serving as director for Test, Missile Defense Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

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DOW Featured Photos

Locking In Army Pvt. Andrew Wright, a forward observer assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 3... Photo Details > All Photos

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Contracts for April 16, 2026

View Online FOR RELEASE AT 5 PM ET Contracts For April 16, 2026 DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY OptumServe Health Services Inc., La Crosse, Wisconsin, is awarded an indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (HT001126DE001) for medical, dental, and behavioral health services in the form of assessments, physical exams, laboratory services, diagnostics, audiology services, optometry services, immunizations, dental exams, and dental treatment in the U.S. The total maximum dollar value (program ceiling) for all RHRP-4 task orders placed under this contract is $1,610,000,000. The guaranteed minimum dollar value for the entire contract period of performance is $11,000,000. The first RHRP-4 task order for transition-in effort is funded with $11,000,000 operations and maintenance funding for the entire minimum guarantee, at the execution of the basic contract award. The total period of performance for the RHRP-4 award consists of not to exceed 9-month transition plus a 3–6-month base period (depending on the length of the transition-in period), and nine 12-month option years, for a total of ten years if all options are exercised. The Defense Health Agency, Professional Services Contracting Division, Falls Church, Virginia, is the contracting activity. ARMY Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Andover, Massachusetts, was awarded a $904,600,000 modification (P00015) to contract W31P4Q-24-C-0024 to support the low-rate initial production of five Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense System units and six spares, including new production hardware, software, and services inherent to production and documentation for the Army. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $5,357,669,576. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 29, 2031. Fiscal 2026 Missile Procurement, Army funds in the amount of $725,878,580 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Conco Inc.,* Louisville, Kentucky, was awarded a $24,506,300 firm-fixed-price, fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for M548 metal ammunition container production for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 15, 2031. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W519TC-26-D-0007). General Electric Co., Lynn, Massachusetts, was awarded a $16,755,000 modification (P00104) to contract W58RGZ-19-C-0003 for additional funding to continue support of the improved turbine engine program for engineering and manufacturing development efforts. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $879,709,255. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Lynn, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2029. Fiscal 2026 Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $16,755,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Land System, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $13,439,861 modification (P00132) to contract W56HZV-22-C-0012 for incorporating level of effort and completion work directives to support Systems Technical Support and Sustainment Systems Technical Support for the current and future Abrams Family of Vehicles. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $13,439,861. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2029. Fiscal 2024 and 2026 Procurement of Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles, Army funds; fiscal 2026 research, development, test, and evaluation, Army funds; and fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the combined amount of $13,439,861, were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. NAVY Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon, was awarded a $252,849,606 firm-fixed-price contract action for maintenance, modernization, and repair of USS Sampson (DDG 102) Fiscal 2026 Depot Modernization Period. The scope of this acquisition includes all labor, supervision, equipment, production, testing, facilities, and quality assurance necessary to prepare for and accomplish the Chief of Naval Operations Availability for critical modernization, maintenance, and repair programs. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $253,195,124. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed by March 2028. Fiscal 2026 other procurement, (Navy) funds in the amount of $237,096,356 (94%); fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance, (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,167,771 (5%); working capital funds in the amount of $455,304 (<1%); fiscal 2025 other procurement, (Navy) funds in the amount of $60,731 (<1%); fiscal 2024 other procurement, (Navy) funds in the amount of $69,445 (<1%), of which, $15,167,771 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, but in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a) (3) (Industrial Mobilization). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N0002426C4411). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Melbourne, Florida, is awarded $9,704,396 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001926F0262) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001925G0003). This order provides the required aircrew, flight test engineering, instrumentation, aircraft maintenance, and test management personnel to support integrated test and evaluation, to include test planning, execution, reporting, and deficiency disposition in accordance with approved test plans for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye for the Navy. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (83%); Melbourne, Florida (14.2%); and Liverpool, New York (2.8%), and is expected to be completed in March 2027. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,704,396 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Lions Services Inc.,** Charlotte, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $36,686,250 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for improved H-nape chinstraps. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is April 15, 2031. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-B006). WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES Guidehouse Inc., McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a Firm-Fixed-Price, Labor Hours, and time and materials contract (HQ0034-25-A-E008) with a value of $30,730,015. The purpose of this contract is to comply with the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act mandate to achieve and sustain a department-wide unmodified financial statement audit opinion by the end of 2028. Work will be performed at the Pentagon and the Mark Center. The estimated completion date is Feb. 28, 2031. Funds in the amount of $7,054,230, are being obligated at the time of the award. The contracting activity is the Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia.   AIR FORCE Environmental Tectonics Corp., Southampton, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a $26,482,195 definitive firm-fixed price contract for simulators and associated sustainment for the Egyptian Air Force Aeromedical Center modernization. This contract provides for aircrew training equipment, travel, and storage. Work will be performed at Southampton, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2029. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Egypt. This award is the result of a specified sole source acquisition. FMS funds in the amount of $26,482,195 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA862126CB005).    Apex FSE JV LLC, McDonough, Georgia, has been awarded a $9,700,000 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract action for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) recommissioning and energy optimization services (REOS). This contract provides HVAC and REOS to base civil engineers to enhance efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Work will be performed at various Air and Space Force facilities throughout the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii, and is expected to be complete by April 14, 2031. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, and six offers were received. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $157,000 are being obligated at the time of initial task order award. The 772d Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA805126D0001). (Awarded on April 15, 2026).   CORRECTION: The $1,843,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract awarded to Anduril Industries Inc., Costa Mesa, California (FA881926DB0011); Astranis Space Technologies Corp., San Francisco, California (FA881926DB013); BAE Systems, Space Mission Systems Inc., Broomfield, Colorado (FA881926DB006); General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, San Diego, California (FA881926DB008); Intuitive Machines LLC, Houston, Texas (FA881926DB014); L3Harris Technologies Inc., Rochester, New York (FA881926DB003); Lockheed Martin Corp., Littleton, Colorado (FA881926DB004); Millennium Space Systems Inc., El Segundo, California (FA881926DB005); Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Dulles, Virginia (FA881926DB001); Quantum Space LLC, Rockville, Maryland (FA881926DB002); Redwire Space Missions LLC, Littleton, Colorado (FA881926DB012); Sierra Space Corp., Louisville, Colorado (FA881926DB007); True Anomaly Inc., Centennial, Colorado (FA881926DB009); and Turion Space Corp., Irvine, California (FA881926DB010) on April 8, 2026 incorrectly characterized the Andromeda contract vehicle as a program. Rather, Andromeda is a contract vehicle that will be utilized for the procurement of space-based space domain awareness capability, including the RG-XX program.  *Small business **Mandatory source

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'Super natural' Onix citrus now at Checkers

Visa opens access to AI shopping economy | Boa Beauty Bar expands to Paarl

Retail Fri 17 April 2026 ALL INDUSTRIES  | COMPANIES  | JOBS  | EVENTS  | SUBMIT NEWS  | ADVERTISE  | FOLLOW  | MY ACCOUNT  | SUBSCRIBE  |  UNSUBSCRIBE 'Super natural' Onix citrus now available exclusively at Checkers The distinctive 'black-skinned' blood orange is known for its deep ruby interior, natural striping and a flavour profile that balances sweetness with acidity... Read more Visa opens access to AI shopping economy LINESHREE MOODLEY Visa launches Intelligent Commerce Connect, enabling businesses to integrate with AI-driven shopping, supporting secure, agent-initiated payments, tokenisation, and seamless global commerce participation.... read Boa Beauty Bar expands into the Cape Winelands The expansion into Paarl signals increasing demand for premium beauty offerings beyond major metropolitan hubs... read Fashion & Homeware LOOKBOOK: Stella McCartney's new H&M Collection revealed The collection unites past and present, combining beloved current signatures, such as oversized shirting, sweeping trenches and sharp tailoring, with playful iconic hits from McCartney’s early archive... Read Business New AI policy in South Africa stresses corporate liability for agentic systems KATE BERETTA, JUSTIN RAMAGES, AND ASHLEIGH BRINK South Africa’s Draft National AI Policy was published for public comment on 10 April, marking a new phase of artificial intelligence deployment, risk and accountability in the country... Read Malema sentenced to 5 years with leave to appeal JOHNNIE ISAAC South African opposition leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in jail on Thursday, 16 April, for firing a rifle in the air at a rally, a judgment that could bar the prominent campaigner from parliament... Read New Press Office on Bizcommunity More   |   Join Excellerate Services Established in 1978, Excellerate Services is one of South Africa's most respected multi-services businesses. Contact  |  News  |  VISIT PRESS OFFICE  |  Linkedin  |  Facebook New events to diarise Marketing Indaba 2026 - CTICC, Cape Town - 22 Apr 2026 to 23 Apr 2026 , Cape Town Marketing Indaba 2026 is one of South Africa's leading marketing conferences now in its 16th year. More info >> The New Gen Trends in Marketing & Tech Conference - 26 May 2026 , Johannesburg The fifth annual conference will feature nine of the industry's biggest innovators and influencers from the corporate and agency sectors, including recipients of last year's New Generation Awards. More info >> Autumn on a plate The Maslow Sandton - 6 Jun 2026, Sandton The nCino KYC Fighting Financial Crime Conference 2026 nCino KYC Africa - 24 Jun 2026, Johannesburg More Events  Submit an event  Customise events FOLLOW US List company List CV List new business List portfolio showcase List profile Submit event Submit gallery Submit job ad Submit new appointment Submit news Submit noticeboard Submit op-ed contribution Home My job ads My events My company My CV Advertising: We welcome your sales enquiries! Email sales and read more about our advertising rates 3rd Floor, 62 Roeland St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa. Tel +27 (0)21 404 1460 © 2026 bizcommunity.com. All rights reserved. Unsubscribe. Manage subscription. Subscribe. Change email. Change frequency to WEEKLY.