‘Indefinite’ Iran blockade: Why it changes the equation as Hormuz crisis deepens, oil supply gap widens

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed on Thursday that the United States possesses ample naval resources to sustain its blockade of Iran indefinitely, emphasizing the country's capability to continue applying economic pressure for an indefinite period. Speaking to reporters in Panama, Hegseth explained that the U.S. Navy would rotate ships as needed to maintain the blockade, similar to past deployments.

His remarks indicate that he is advising President Donald Trump that sustained military presence can uphold the blockade, even as ongoing negotiations to end the conflict remain unresolved. Trump recently asserted that the U.S. holds control over the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz.

I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!" He added, "Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, ‘A WALL OF STEEL,’ and there is nothing Iran can do about it," according to a post on Truth Social. The conflict originated with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, leading Iran to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade.

In response, the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports while asserting its commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for ships heading to or from non-Iranian ports. The U.S. has deployed tens of thousands of troops to the Middle East and over 20 warships since the conflict began. Since the blockade's implementation, the U.S. military has redirected more than 55 commercial vessels attempting to breach it, resulting in the disabling of three ships and boarding of two.

Recently, a U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the engine room of a Panama-flagged vessel after it disregarded warnings from U.S. forces, as reported by the military.