Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that the US blockade on Iran is going global, adding Tehran had a chance to make a “good deal” with Washington.
“Our blockade is growing and going global,” Hegseth told reporters.
“No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy,” he said.
Thirty-four ships had been turned around from the Strait of Hormuz by the US Navy so far, he said.
Following a phone call with US President Donald Trump and Hegseth Thursday on how to proceed with the war, US Senator Lindsey Graham called the decision to leave the blockade “very smart,” adding that “it is having a strong effect on the ability of Iran to continue to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism.”
Graham said he not only expected the blockade to stay in place, but that he foresaw it “becoming global soon.”
Trump had asserted on Monday that Iran’s conventional navy had been largely destroyed, but that their smaller ships were not considered much of a threat.
Ariella Roitman contributed to this report.
Source:
www.jpost.com
