US can keep naval blockade on Iranian ports "indefinitely," Pentagon chief says
PANAMA CITY — The U.S. military has enough assets to maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday, adding ships could be rotated in and out of the region as needed. Hegseth's comments suggest he is advising U.S. President Donald Trump that the U.S. military can keep applying economic pressure on Iran for as long as needed to help so-far failed…
Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth stated that the U.S. military possesses sufficient resources to sustain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely. He elaborated on this during a press conference in Panama, following a speech to the crew of the USS Gridley, a guided-missile destroyer, which had recently been deployed to the Middle East. Hegseth's remarks imply he is suggesting to U.S. President Donald Trump that the U.S. military can persist with economic pressure on Iran for as long as necessary to facilitate ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which began in February.
The Defense Secretary clarified that the U.S. Navy can rotate ships in and out of the region as required. Hegseth's comments came after President Trump asserted that the United States maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz, proclaiming, "We will keep it!" and referring to the naval blockade as "A WALL OF STEEL," indicating Iran's inability to counteract it.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
