Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the US naval blockade of Iranian shipping is expanding globally and will continue indefinitely until Iran agrees to abandon its nuclear program. The blockade through the Strait of Hormuz, ongoing since late February 2026, is now being framed as a coordinated international effort rather than a unilateral US action—signaling the Trump administration intends to maintain pressure regardless of negotiations. Multiple Pentagon statements confirm this is a hardline stance with no near-term off-ramp, meaning global shipping costs and energy prices tied to Persian Gulf trade will remain elevated.