US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the naval blockade on Iranian-linked shipping is expanding, stating “our blockade is growing and going global” and confirming vessels are being intercepted beyond the Gulf.
Speaking at the Pentagon on Friday (24 April), Hegseth added that “No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy”, noting 34 ships had already been turned back under US enforcement measures.
He added that “every ship that the US believes meets our criteria, either Iranian ships or to and from Iranian ports, has been turned around”, before confirming recent enforcement actions, stating “we seized two Iranian dark fleet ships” in the Indo-Pacific.
Diplomatic efforts remain uncertain as maritime incidents continue to raise tensions. Talks may resume through regional mediation, but disruptions to global oil flows and commercial shipping persist, with analysts warning of prolonged instability if negotiations fail. Hegseth reiterated that the US “stands ready for what comes next”, underscoring the continued military posture alongside stalled diplomatic momentum.
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