Foreign Relations

Hegseth Says US Navy Can Maintain Iran Blockade Indefinitely

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Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of Pete Hegseth speaking at a podium with U.S. and Defense Department flags behind him.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Navy can maintain its blockade of Iranian ports indefinitely by rotating ships through the region. Speaking to reporters in Panama after addressing sailors aboard USS Gridley, he said Washington has enough assets to sustain the operation. The United States has deployed more than 20 warships and tens of thousands of personnel to the Middle East. U.S. forces have redirected more than 55 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two; an MH-60 helicopter also fired two Hellfire missiles at a noncompliant Panama-flagged ship.

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