US war secretary says blockade on Iranian ports has gone global, seizing two dark fleet ships today
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. PHOTO: REUTERS/ File
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Friday said that Iran still had an open window for talks.
“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 in a press briefing at the Pentagon.
“Our blockade is growing and going global.”
Hegseth also said the blockade would stay as long as it takes.
“We have all the time in the world, and we’re not anxious for a deal.”
Hegseth also said that the US blockade of Iranian ports had gone global. He said the US had seized two Iranian dark fleet ships that left Iranian ports.
“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 USNavy so far, he said.
However, he said that transit through Hormuz is occurring.
Later, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, said that Iran had attacked five merchant ships.
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This is a developing story.
