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U.S. says Iran naval blockade can run indefinitely as economic pressure ramps up
Developing
What we know
Speaking Thursday in Panama City, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters the U.S. Navy can sustain its naval blockade of Iranian ports “indefinitely” by rotating ships in and out of the region. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent separately said Washington planned further financial measures he described as economic isolation “like the world has never seen before,” with more announcements expected the following week.
The comments came as a tentative June ceasefire framework remained in tatters, global oil supply forecasts darkened, and the UAE blamed Iran for attacks on two Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening. Iran has sought leverage by constraining Hormuz traffic; the U.S. has framed its blockade as pressure on Tehran while claiming to protect transit to non-Iranian ports.
What's confirmed
- Hegseth said the Navy can maintain the Iranian-port blockade indefinitely via ship rotation (Reuters, CBC, Al-Monitor).
- Bessent previewed additional, unprecedented economic isolation measures (CNBC/Newsmax coverage of Thursday remarks).
- UAE state media reported two ADNOC vessels attacked in Hormuz Thursday evening; Abu Dhabi blamed Iran.
- IEA had forecast a roughly 4.3 million bpd global oil supply shortfall for the year amid the conflict.
What's still developing
- Substance and timing of the next U.S. economic measures Bessent previewed.
- Impact of the reported ADNOC vessel attacks on Hormuz traffic and ceasefire talks.