U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told members of Congress on Thursday that the United States is fully prepared to keep its economic blockade of Iran in place for as long as necessary, insisting the U.S. military has both the resources and determination to sustain the operation indefinitely.
Appearing before lawmakers during hearings on the defense budget, Hegseth said the naval blockade can remain in effect without a time limit because the U.S. Navy has the ability to continuously rotate its fleet while maintaining a strong presence in the region.
“We can hold this blockade as long as needed. Indefinitely, the US Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we’ll rotate ships in and out as we have and will continue to. No other nation on earth, no other navy on earth has the capability to have a ‘wall of steel’ like the US Navy, and then the willingness to use it, as we have.”
Hegseth said the strategy is designed to gradually weaken Iran’s economy, emphasizing that the United States has no intention of backing down.
“We have the capability, the will, and the patience” to let the blockade wear down Iran’s economy, Hegseth said.
The defense chief also revealed that the blockade effort is expanding beyond the United States, saying more countries have joined the campaign. He added that while Washington continues to pursue a diplomatic resolution, military force remains on the table if negotiations collapse.
“If diplomacy fails, we are ready to strike,” he said.
{Matzav.com}
