U.S. Defense Secretary: U.S. Port Blockade Against Iran Will Continue "As Needed"

On April 24, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xu Jianmei) that U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth stated on the 24th that the blockade imposed by the U.S. Navy on Iranian ports, which began on the 13th, will continue "as needed."

Hegseth made the remarks during a press conference at the Pentagon with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Milley. Hegseth said that 34 ships have already been ordered to turn back by the U.S. Navy. In a few days, another aircraft carrier will join this blockade operation. He also mentioned that the U.S. military has seized two ships from Iran's "shadow fleet" in the Indian Ocean, stating that this "expanding blockade is becoming global."

Hegseth warned Iran not to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz, or the U.S. military would "not hesitate to fire to destroy them," "just like dealing with drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean." He added that this should not be a unilateral fight by the U.S., and the era of Europe and Asia "free-riding" is over.

Milley, during the press conference, introduced the U.S. military's seizure of the Iranian cargo ship "Tusk" and the seizure of two Iranian-related tankers in the Indian Ocean, stating that the three ships and their crews are currently still under U.S. control, and the U.S. military will continue similar maritime interception operations against Iranian vessels in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.