US Threatens Indefinite Naval Blockade of Iran Amid Escalating Tensions

The US has threatened to maintain an indefinite naval blockade of Iran as tensions between the two countries escalate and global oil supply dwindles.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the US Navy can continue to enforce a blockade on Iran indefinitely by rotating ships in and out, citing the recent attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The strait, through which around 20% of global oil passes, has seen shipping traffic plummet to just eight vessels this week, down from an average of 12 vessels per day before the war began in February.

Iran has been seeking control over the Strait and has attacked some vessels trying to transit it. The US lifted its blockade on Iran's shipping and ports for a month in mid-June but reimposed it, cutting off Tehran's primary source of hard currency.