WASHINGTON (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti): The United States (US) blockade against Iranian ports will be enhanced with the arrival of a second aircraft carrier in the coming days, Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported, citing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Friday.
"The United States has imposed an iron-clad blockade that grows more powerful by the day, from the Gulf of Oman to the open oceans. Our Navy is enforcing this blockade without hesitation or apology," Hegseth said during a press briefing. "Not only is the blockade growing, in fact, a second aircraft carrier will also join the blockade in just a few days".
Moreover, the number of vessels that have been forced to change course in compliance with the blockade of the Islamic Republic's waters and ports has now risen to 34, the secretary said, further noting that non-Iranian vessels are allowed to and continue to sail.
Last week, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said rather than blockading the Strait of Hormuz, the US Navy is focused on enforcing a blockade of Iran's coastline and ports.
The action extends both to the Islamic Republic's territorial seas and international waters in other areas of responsibility.
On April 13, the US Navy began blockading all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for approximately 20 per cent of the world's oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.
Washington maintains that non-Iranian vessels are free to transit the Strait of Hormuz as long as they do not pay Tehran a toll. Iranian authorities have not announced the imposition of a toll, but have discussed such plans.
-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
