Speaking during a Pentagon briefing on Friday, Hegseth said the U.S. military campaign originally focused on the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian coastal waters has widened to include Iranian-linked vessels operating across international sea lanes.

According to officials, U.S. forces have already intercepted or turned back more than 30 ships suspected of transporting Iranian oil or violating sanctions, as part of a broader effort to restrict Tehran’s export capacity and maritime influence.

Expansion of maritime enforcement

Hegseth described the blockade as “fluid and expanding,” indicating that U.S. naval operations are no longer limited to the Gulf region.

“Any vessel that meets the criteria whether heading to or from Iranian ports or linked to sanctioned networks is subject to interdiction,” he said, according to officials present at the briefing.

He added that the operation is being supported by additional naval deployments, including an expanded carrier presence in the Middle East and Indian Ocean regions, aimed at tracking Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.

Recent military actions include the seizure of tankers in the Indian Ocean and the interception of ships accused of transporting Iranian crude outside legal export channels.

Strategic chokepoint under pressure

The blockade is heavily concentrated around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of global oil flows. U.S. officials say Iran has attempted to assert counter-control over shipping lanes, including imposing tolls and briefly restricting passage during heightened tensions.

The U.S. maintains that the maritime operation is designed to enforce sanctions and deter what it describes as Iranian destabilization of global energy routes.

Escalating military and diplomatic tension

The expanded blockade comes amid ongoing U.S.–Iran tensions that have included ship seizures, drone activity and competing claims of control over Gulf shipping lanes. Recent operations have seen both sides detain or redirect commercial vessels, increasing instability in one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

At the same time, Washington has kept diplomatic channels open. Hegseth reiterated that Iran still has an opportunity to reach a negotiated settlement with the United States, warning that continued defiance would bring further economic and military pressure.

“This blockade is the polite version of what can happen next,” he previously warned, signaling that military escalation remains on the table if negotiations fail.

Global implications

Analysts warn that the widening maritime crackdown could have significant consequences for global oil markets, shipping insurance costs and supply chain stability. Oil prices have already risen sharply amid disruptions in Gulf shipping routes.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts remain fragile, with no confirmed breakthrough in ceasefire or long-term agreement talks between Washington and Tehran.

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