Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that the United States’ blockade against Iran is expanding globally, emphasizing that Tehran had an opportunity to secure a “good deal” with Washington.
“Our blockade is growing and going global,” Hegseth informed reporters. He asserted, “No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy.” He further stated that the US Navy had, to date, turned back thirty-four ships from the Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth also warned that any Iranian attempts to lay additional mines would constitute a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Following a Thursday phone call with US President Donald Trump and Hegseth regarding the war’s progression, US Senator Lindsey Graham lauded the decision to maintain the blockade as “very smart.” Graham added that the blockade “is having a strong effect on the ability of Iran to continue to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism,” and predicted it would not only remain but also “become global soon.”
However, Iran’s deployment of “fast-attack” boats to seize two container ships near the Strait of Hormuz challenges earlier US assertions that Tehran’s naval threats had been neutralized. President Trump had previously claimed on Monday that Iran’s conventional navy was largely destroyed, dismissing its smaller vessels as minor threats.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the joint US and Israeli campaign against Iran was reshaping the regional dynamic. He confirmed discussions with President Trump about Iran, stating, “I promised you that we would change the face of the Middle East, and that is exactly what we are doing. First and foremost, in Iran: I have had an excellent conversation with President Trump. He is applying very strong pressure on Iran, both economically and militarily. We are operating in full cooperation.”
Ariella Roitman contributed to this report.
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