US signals indefinite Iran blockade, Hormuz tensions rise
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The United States could maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely by rotating warships through the region, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said, signalling that Washington is prepared to keep economic pressure on Tehran while efforts to restore a peace agreement remain stalled.
Key facts
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Our Navy can keep that kind of blockade indefinitely because we rotate ships in and out, as we do and will continue to do,”
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Summary
“Our Navy can keep that kind of blockade indefinitely because we rotate ships in and out, as we do and will continue to do,” Hegseth told reporters on Thursday (August 13) while travelling to Panama.
The blockade targets Iranian ports and shipping rather than all traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has previously said neutral vessels travelling to or from non-Iranian destinations would not be impeded.