Hegseth: US Will Keep Naval Blockade on Iran 'As Long As Needed'; IRGC Navy Commander Says Hormuz Is Closed

US Secretary of War (Defense) Pete Hegseth told reporters on Thursday, 22 Mordad 1405 (August 13, 2026), that the US Navy can maintain the naval blockade of Iranian ports for as long as it deems necessary. According to Middle East Eye, he said: "Indefinitely, the United States Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we'll rotate ships in and out, as we have, and we'll continue to."

In response, the same day, Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' navy, said the Strait of Hormuz is closed, according to Ecoiran and Donya e Eqtesad, citing Daneshjoo News Agency. He said: "Our dominance over movements in the strait is complete and decisive... the reality should be seen in the field, not in statements by American officials." Ship tracking data previously reported by Reuters and Kpler has shown daily transits through Hormuz falling from roughly 130 to 140 vessels before the war to fewer than ten a day.