US Says Iran Naval Blockade Can Continue Indefinitely

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that the US military has enough assets to maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely, with ships rotated in and out of the region as needed. His comments suggest the US can continue applying economic pressure on Iran as negotiations to end the conflict, which began in late February, remain unsuccessful.

President Trump said on Wednesday that the United States has control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Tehran effectively shut the strait after the war began.

The US subsequently imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and ports. Since the blockade began, the US military has redirected more than 55 commercial vessels attempting to run it. Earlier this week, a US Navy helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles into the engine room of a Panama-flagged ship after it ignored warnings from US forces.

Washington has deployed tens of thousands of troops to the Middle East since the war began, including more than 20 warships. It describes the operation as a steel blockade and plans to maintain its tactical pressure.

(Reuters, Max)