US warns Iran it will step up economic pressure; two more ships attacked in Hormuz

The United States warned Iran it would maintain a military presence in the Strait of Hormuz and step up economic pressure, following two more recent attacks on ships in the waterway. Iranian ships continued to attack vessels attempting to pass through the strait despite a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The United Arab Emirates' Abu Dhabi National Oil Company reported two of its vessels were attacked en route through the strait on Thursday.

The US has the capability to maintain a naval blockade indefinitely, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who announced that the US military would continue to rotate ships in and out of the region to enforce the blockade. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that the US planned to inflict more financial damage on Iran, suggesting it would apply measures like never seen in the history of economic isolation on a country.