US may maintain Iran naval blockade ‘indefinitely’, says War Secretary Pete Hegseth

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) arrives in Panama City on Thursday. PIC/AFP

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday warned of continuing the US' naval blockade on Iranian ports "indefinitely" and for as long as needed, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Speaking to reporters in Panama City, Hegseth said, "Indefinitely, the US Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we'll rotate ships in and out, as we have, and we'll continue to."

The development comes a day after US President Donald Trump claimed that the US exercised "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz, and that he "will keep it" amid stalled negotiations with Iran regarding the reopening of the strategic conduit.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump asserted, "The USA has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, ‘A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it."

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