Pentagon Chief Says Strait of Hormuz Blockade Remains Amid Iran Tensions

(MENAFN) The United States defense secretary said Saturday that a blockade affecting the Strait of Hormuz remains in place and warned that Washington could again use military force if diplomatic negotiations fail to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Pete Hegseth stated: “The blockade is very much still in place.”

He added that the situation would depend on the outcome of ongoing diplomatic efforts. “Once a deal is had or not, depending on the choice they make, it will be an open strait, a toll-free strait that the entire world can use, which is the way that it should be,” he said.

Hegseth emphasized that the United States remains prepared for potential escalation. “Right now, we're focused on being postured and prepared to reengage if we have to,” he said, while expressing confidence that a diplomatic agreement could still be reached.

Addressing Iran’s position on the strategic waterway, he said: “They want to say that they control the strait, but we do, and everything behind the scenes shows that we are in control when it comes to that, including how the dynamics of the negotiation are coming together.”

He also reiterated the US position that any agreement with Tehran must permanently prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“We think we’re in a good place to make that deal,” he said. “Or they can deal with the War Department. And we are prepared. We’re postured even stronger today than we were on day one to address it that way if we have to.”

The comments come amid continued regional tensions following earlier strikes involving the United States and Israel against Iran, which triggered retaliatory attacks and heightened instability across the Gulf.

A ceasefire was later reached through Pakistani mediation on April 8 and has since been extended indefinitely, according to reports.

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