U.S. will continue blockade 'as long as it takes,' Hegseth says

"Iran has a historic chance to amke a serious deal, and the ball is in their court," Hegseth said. "Either way, the War Department stands ready for what comes next. Locked and loaded."

Hegseth and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, described the United States seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday called the Touska. Caine said 34 ships met the U.S. blockade and turned around. The Touska was the only ship to not turn around. 

"Over a six-hour period, the vessel and her crew repeatedly ignored U.S. warnings, and then the U.S. Navy destroyer executed a series of pre-planned, carefully calibrated escalation options, including firing five warning shots," Caine said. 

The U.S. military fired nine inert rounds into the Touska's engine room and engine space. After firing shots, Caine said, U.S. Marines boarded and took custody of the ship. 

"The ship and her crew remain safe in U.S. custody today," Caine said. 

Caine also said the United States seized two Iranian dark fleet ships in the Indian Ocean. Both ships remain in U.S. custoy, Caine said. 

The Tifani and the Majestic X were seized over the past week, Caine said. The Tifani, a large crude tanker, is capable of transporting roughly two million barrels of oil. 

"We will continue to conduct similar maritime interdiction actions and activities in the Pacific and Indian Oceans against Iranian ships and vessels of the dark fleet," Caine said. 

Hegesth criticized European countries for not aiding the United States' blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. 

"We are not counting on Europe, but they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do," Hegseth said.

Hegseth also said the U.S. would work to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz and called on other countries to help. He said Iran would be violating the country's ceasefire if it laid more mines in the Strait. 

"America and the free world deserve allies who are capable, who are loyal and who understand that being an ally is not a one-way street," Hegseth said.