US eyes indefinite Iran naval blockade

US Vice President JD Vance outlines Washington’s key objectives in the Iran conflict as keeping energy prices stable for Americans, preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and securing a stronger US position.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says that the US can sustain its blockade against Iran “indefinitely”.
US Treasury secretary says US to apply measures ‘never seen’ against Iran
United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says that the US is going to apply measures that have “never been seen” on Iran.

“Watch this space for more announcements coming next week because we are going to apply measures that have never been seen in the history of economic isolation on a country,” Bessent said in an interview on Newsmax.

“It will be a combination of economic isolation the world has never seen before, and the continued blockade in the Strait of Hormuz that will keep anything from going in or out of the Iranian ports,” he added.
Israeli strikes in Gaza kill two, including police chief
Israeli drone strikes killed at least two people and wounded several others in Gaza on Thursday.

The attacks came days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected US President Donald Trump’s latest Gaza peace plan.
A recap of recent developments
US Vice President JD Vance states that Washington aims to stabilise American energy prices, stop Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons and emerge from the Iranian conflict in a position of strength.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says that the US can sustain its blockade against Iran “indefinitely”.
Iran’s military disputes US assertions that maritime traffic flows normally through the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining that no vessel passes without its authorisation.
Two Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessels come under attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with UAE state media reporting no injuries and saying the situation is under control.
Yemeni Houthi rebels target the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the country’s west with two missiles, according to Houthi-affiliated Saba news agency.
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