US Secretary of Defense Hegseth held a press conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kane at the Pentagon on the 24th (local time), stating that the US Navy's blockade of Iranian ports, which has been in effect since the 13th, will continue "as long as necessary." Secretary Hegseth said that 34 vessels have been turned back by the US Navy so far, and one aircraft carrier is scheduled to be additionally deployed to the blockade operation within days. He also emphasized that the US military had seized two vessels belonging to Iran's 'shadow fleet' in the Indian Ocean, stating that "the expanding blockade is spreading worldwide." Secretary Hegseth warned that if Iran lays mines in the Strait of Hormuz, "we will destroy them without hesitation," and "we will respond as if dealing with drug smugglers in the Caribbean." He added that this issue should not be America's fight alone, and that the era of Europe and Asia 'free-riding' is over.
