US Says Iran Blockade Is Going Global
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said Washington’s naval blockade on Iran is expanding globally, while also saying Tehran still has an opportunity to reach what he described as a “good deal” with the United States.
US Blockade On Iran Expands Globally
Hegseth told reporters in Washington that the US blockade was “growing and going global.” He said vessels moving from the Strait of Hormuz to other parts of the world would require permission from the US Navy.
The remarks came as the US continues to enforce restrictions on ships linked to Iranian ports or territory. The blockade began on April 13 amid the wider Iran-US conflict and continuing tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
US Says Iran Can Still Make Deal
Standing alongside top US General Dan Caine, Hegseth said Washington was not in a hurry for a deal with Tehran. He repeated President Donald Trump’s position that the US had “all the time in the world.”
Hegseth said Iran still had an open window to return to the negotiating table, provided it abandoned any nuclear weapons ambition in a meaningful and verifiable manner.
Pentagon Tracks Ships Linked To Iran
General Caine said US Central Command was maintaining a strict blockade on all Iranian ports. He said 34 ships had been turned around as of Friday morning.
Caine also said the US military would continue to intercept Iranian vessels in the Pacific and Indian oceans. According to him, the blockade applies to ships of any nationality moving to or from Iranian ports or territory.
Hegseth also warned that any Iranian attempt to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz would violate the ceasefire. He said transit through the waterway was continuing, but at reduced levels and with higher risk.
