Hegseth says US to keep Iran port blockade in Hormuz, ready for new attacks

Key Points

• US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the indefinite continuation of the naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, with 13 vessels already turned back.
• The US will pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel globally that provides material support to Iran, expanding the blockade's reach beyond the Middle East.
• Hegseth warned that if the April 22 ceasefire ends without a deal, the US may strike Iran's energy and power infrastructure, a move legal experts say could be a war crime.
• US forces are 'maximally postured' to resume combat operations, with the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group leading the blockade effort.
• Iran's demand to control the Strait of Hormuz is now a non-starter in negotiations, as the US asserts its own blockade.

Full Details

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the US will maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely, with 13 vessels already turned back by the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group. He warned that if the current two-week ceasefire ends on April 22 without a peace deal, the US may strike Iran's energy and power infrastructure, a move legal experts note could constitute a war crime. The US will also pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel globally that provides material support to Iran, with General Dan Caine indicating the Pacific Navy may intercept resupply ships. Hegseth emphasized that US forces are 'maximally postured' to resume combat operations, while Iran remains 'digging out of bombed-out facilities.' The blockade applies to all ships heading into or from Iranian ports, including 'dark fleet vessels' carrying Iranian oil. This comes as efforts to resume US-Iran talks are underway, with Iran demanding continued control of the strait, a demand the US now rejects.