US Says It Can Keep Naval Blockade on Iran 'Indefinitely,' Vows More Economic Pressure

The United States declared on Thursday its capacity to sustain a naval blockade on Iran indefinitely, vowing to intensify economic pressure as ceasefire negotiations falter and regional tensions rise.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth informed reporters that the U.S. military possesses the capability to maintain its naval presence in the region to enforce the blockade, which has already inflicted significant economic damage on Iran. "Indefinitely the United States Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we'll rotate ships in and out, as we have, and we'll continue to," Hegseth stated during a visit to Panama.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed this sentiment, announcing plans for further financial damage. "Watch this space for more announcements coming next week because we are going to apply measures like have never been seen in the history of economic isolation on a country," he said in an interview.

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Indefinitely the United States Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we'll rotate ships in and out, as we have, and we'll continue to.

With a tentative peace deal in tatters, Iran has attempted to exert leverage by controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which a significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas travels. Iran has attacked vessels transiting the strait and stated it will not allow its reopening until its conditions, including the lifting of economic sanctions and the release of frozen assets, are met.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen considerably. The U.S. reimposed its blockade in mid-June after a brief month-long lift, cutting off Tehran's primary source of hard currency. Washington previously indicated the blockade would be lifted once Iran and Oman reached an agreement to restore commercial shipping.

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Watch this space for more announcements coming next week because we are going to apply measures like have never been seen in the history of economic isolation on a country.