US officials say the United States has the capacity to continue the Islamic Republic’s unlimited maritime blockade; at the same time, Tehran has conditioned the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on the lifting of sanctions and the release of its frozen assets. These developments come as negotiations have stalled and the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz continues to decline.

Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, said during a trip to Panama on Thursday that the U.S. Navy, by rotating vessels, could continue the blockade of Iran indefinitely. According to Reuters, this blockade, which was resumed after the failure of an initial ceasefire agreement, has put pressure on Tehran’s oil exports and foreign-currency revenues.

In response, officials of the Islamic Republic have announced that the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until Tehran’s conditions are met, including the lifting of sanctions and the release of its frozen assets. At the same time, figures point to a sharp decline in ship traffic through this strait, and attacks on two vessels of ADNOC have increased concerns about shipping safety. Experts warn that continuing this situation could further affect the global supply of oil and the growth of the world economy.

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