Pentagon chief Hegseth says US blockade on Iran ‘going global’

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Friday. (AFP)

• Tehran has a chance to make a “good deal” with Washington, US defense secretary says
• No one sails through the Strait of Hormuz without the permission of the United States, he claims

WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that a 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.
Peace talks between Iran and the United States could resume soon in Pakistan, three Pakistani sources told Reuters ‌on Friday, after the ‌last round of talks expected earlier ​this ‌week fell ⁠through. Standing ​next to ⁠top US General Dan Caine, Hegseth said the US was “not anxious” for a deal with Iran, and repeated Trump’s previous comments of having “all the time in the world.”
“Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely ... at the negotiating table. All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon ⁠in meaningful and verifiable ways,” he said.
Caine said ‌the US Central Command continues ‌to maintain a strict blockade on all ​ports in Iran. Thirty-four ships ‌had been turned around as of Friday morning, he said. ‌The US military would continue to interdict Iranian vessels in the Pacific and Indian oceans, Caine added.
“We’re enforcing the blockade across the board against any ship of any nationality that is transiting to or from ‌an Iranian port or territory,” Caine said.
“We’re closely tracking vessels of interest headed toward Iran and those ⁠moving away ⁠from Iran that were outside the blockade area when this blockade was ordered and ... we’re prepared and postured to intercept them,” he said.
The US naval blockade on Iran began on April 13. Hegseth also warned that any attempts by Iran to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz would be a violation of the ceasefire.
“Transit (of the Strait of Hormuz) is occurring, much more limited than anybody would like to see and with more risk than people would like to see, but ​that’s because Iran is ​doing irresponsible things with small, fast boats ... with weapons on them,” Hegseth said.