The United States has warned that its naval blockade of Iran could continue indefinitely, escalating pressure on Tehran as ceasefire negotiations stall and disruptions to global oil supplies deepen.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US military could maintain a naval presence in the region for as long as necessary to enforce the blockade, which Washington says is aimed at increasing economic pressure on Iran.
“Indefinitely, the United States Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we’ll rotate ships in and out,” Hegseth told reporters during a visit to Panama.
The escalation comes amid growing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas previously passed before the conflict began in February.
Iran has sought to restrict movement through the waterway and has been accused of attacking vessels attempting to transit the strait. Two vessels operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were reportedly attacked while passing through the waterway on Thursday, with the United Arab Emirates condemning what it described as an Iranian attack.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply, with only eight vessels recorded on Tuesday, compared with an average of about 12 vessels over the preceding 10 days and between 130 and 140 vessels before the war.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the United States has “total control” of the strategic waterway.
Iran, however, rejected the claim, saying the strait would remain closed until its demands—including the lifting of economic sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets—were met.
The US had temporarily lifted its blockade of Iranian shipping and ports in mid-June but later reinstated the restrictions. The measures have further limited Tehran’s access to foreign currency amid damage to its energy infrastructure from wartime attacks.
Washington had previously indicated that the blockade could be lifted if Iran and Oman reached an agreement to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The prolonged disruption has raised concerns over global energy supplies, with tighter oil flows threatening to further increase pressure on international energy markets as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain uncertain.
