US says it can keep naval blockade on Iran 'indefinitely,' vows more economic pressure

AI Summary

The United States has declared it can maintain an indefinite naval blockade on Iran, aiming to increase economic pressure amid stalled ceasefire talks and rising regional tensions. The U.S. military is positioned to enforce the blockade, impacting Iran's economy severely and global oil supplies.

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali PANAMA CITY, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday said that it could maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely and would ratchet up economic pressure on Tehran as ceasefire talks have floundered, global oil supply is dropping and regional tensions are rising. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that the U.S. military has the capability to maintain a naval presence in the region to enforce its blockade of Iran, which has inflicted severe economic damage on the country.