US has forces for indefinite blockade of Iran, says Secretary of War

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declared on Thursday in Panama that the U.S. military possesses adequate troop strength to maintain a maritime blockade against Iran indefinitely. He indicated that naval vessels can be rotated to sustain pressure as needed, a strategy aimed at compelling Iran into negotiations.

Hegseth's comments, made after addressing sailors aboard the USS Gridley, suggest he is advising President Trump to continue economic pressure on Iran. This approach seeks to advance stalled negotiations until the conflict concludes. "The U.S. Navy can maintain this blockade indefinitely because we will continue to rotate ships as we have in the past," Hegseth told reporters.

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The U.S. Navy can maintain this blockade indefinitely because we will continue to rotate ships as we have in the past.

His remarks follow President Trump's assertion that the U.S. has "complete control" of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that the U.S. Navy's blockade, described as a "steel wall," leaves Iran powerless.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes, has been effectively blockaded by Iran following U.S. and Israeli attacks. The U.S. subsequently imposed a maritime blockade on Iranian shipping and ports, while vowing to protect freedom of navigation for vessels traveling to non-Iranian ports. Since the U.S.-Iran war began in late February, the U.S. has deployed tens of thousands of troops and over 20 warships to the Middle East. The blockade has seen the U.S. Navy drive away more than 55 commercial ships attempting to breach the blockade line. Earlier this week, a U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter destroyed the engine room of the Panamanian-flagged Vela Nova after it ignored warnings.

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The United States has complete control of the Strait of Hormuz. I think we will continue to control it. Our Navy blockade is called the 'steel wall' by everyone, and Iran can do nothing about it.