Hegseth says U.S. can maintain Iran blockade as long as needed and Trump will keep all options available if Tehran does not change course
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington’s position remains that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon and that the United States is prepared to take whatever steps it considers necessary to prevent that.
He said the U.S. can maintain and adjust its blockade for as long as necessary, while arguing that American forces have control over the Strait of Hormuz and have significantly reduced Iran’s naval and surveillance capabilities.
Asked whether the USS Theodore Roosevelt would replace one of the two carriers already in the CENTCOM region or bring the total to three, Hegseth declined to answer, saying President Trump “will have options.”
Hegseth said Iran still has an opportunity to resolve the confrontation through negotiations, but warned that Washington has repeatedly demonstrated its military capabilities and would act again if necessary.
He also said Iran would try to rebuild its missile and launcher capabilities, while arguing that the damage already inflicted would make that process slow and difficult.
