Pentagon Chief Says US Can Maintain Iran Naval Blockade 'Indefinitely'

The U.S. military is capable of maintaining its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely by rotating naval assets, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday, affirming a long-term strategy of economic pressure on Tehran.

Sustained Military Pressure

Speaking to reporters in Panama, Hegseth stated that the U.S. Navy has the capacity for a prolonged operation. "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 said, according to Reuters.

His comments underscore the administration's resolve to continue applying pressure to support so-far unsuccessful negotiations to end the conflict that began on February 28. The statement follows a post on the Truth Social platform by President Donald Trump on Wednesday, in which he referred to the blockade as a "WALL OF STEEL."

Context of the Blockade

The conflict, which started with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, prompted Tehran to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz. This critical shipping lane previously accounted for the transit of a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), making its closure a significant disruption to global energy markets.

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In response, the U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and ports while stating it would protect freedom of navigation for other vessels. Washington has since deployed tens of thousands of troops and more than 20 warships to the region to enforce the measure.

Enforcement Actions

The U.S. military has actively enforced the blockade, redirecting more than 55 commercial vessels attempting to breach it. These enforcement actions have included disabling three ships and boarding two, according to military sources.

In a recent escalation, a U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the engine room of a Panama-flagged ship after it reportedly ignored warnings from U.S. forces. These actions highlight the serious risks for shipping in the region and the potential for further military escalation.