US Slams Door Shut on Iran with Indefinite Naval Blockade Threat

The US has threatened to maintain an indefinite naval blockade of Iran, ratcheting up economic pressure on Tehran as ceasefire talks have stalled and global oil supply is dwindling.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that the US military could keep a naval presence in the region to enforce its blockade of Iran, which has inflicted severe economic damage on the country.

Hegseth said the US Navy can maintain the blockade indefinitely by rotating ships in and out. This move comes as global oil supply is expected to drop by 4.3 million barrels per day, or around 4%, in 2026 due to the ongoing conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz has seen a significant decrease in shipping traffic, with only eight vessels passing through on August 11, down from a 10-day average of about 12 vessels and 130-140 ships before the war began in February.