The Pentagon proclaims “real control” of traffic in Hormuz and advises Iran to close an agreement

The Pentagon proclaimed this Thursday the control of traffic in the Hormuz Pass, where it has forced thirteen vessels sailing through the area to turn around, without having to board any ship for the moment, while asking Tehran to reach an agreement and choose a “prosperous future.”

“The United States Navy controls the traffic that crosses the strait because we have real means and real capabilities, and we are carrying out this blockade with less than 10% of the naval power of the United States. The numbers are clear: we are using 10% of the most powerful Navy in the world, and Iran has 0% of its Navy,” said the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, in a press conference with the Chief of the General Staff, Dan Caine.

In this sense, the head of the Pentagon has claimed United States control over the strategic passage, after the blockade decreed by the US president, Donald Trump, as a measure of pressure after the negotiations in Islamabad last Saturday for a cessation of hostilities did not come to fruition. “Control is real and we have a long history of confronting pirates and terrorists,” Hegseth argued.

For his part, Caine has reported that the United States is maintaining control of the area and has warned that any ship that crossed the blockade “would cause the Navy to execute previously planned tactics, designed to bring force to that ship and, if necessary, board it and take control.”

“This includes a series of staggered use of force options, which could include warning shots, among other measures,” he indicated.

In any case, the Chief of the General Staff has indicated that the US Army has not needed to implement these measures since all the vessels that have approached the area controlled by Washington, 13 ships, have made the “correct decision” to “turn around.”

“Any vessel that does not comply with our instructions will be dealt with accordingly. As of this morning, US Central Command has not had to board any vessels,” Caine explained.

ADVISES IRAN TO REACH AN AGREEMENT

Throughout the press conference, Hegseth peppered his speech with demands for Iran to reach an agreement with the United States, threatening to prolong control over Hormuz and hit civilian infrastructure if Tehran does not reach an agreement with Washington.

“I pray that you choose an agreement, which is within your reach, for the good of your people and the world. In the meantime, the War Department is ready and prepared,” he stated, to emphasize that Iran has it in its power to choose a “prosperous future.”

Hegseth has stressed that the US Army will maintain the blockade in Hormuz “for as long as necessary.” “If Iran chooses wrong, then there will be a blockade and bombs will fall on infrastructure, energy and the energy sector at the same time,” he warned.