WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in a media appearance that the naval blockade of Iranian ports will continue as long as it takes and warned Tehran to accept a nuclear deal or face bombing of its remaining infrastructure, power generation and energy industry. The blockade covers all ships regardless of nationality entering or leaving Iranian ports and is distinct from a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

"In the meantime and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this blockade, successful blockade, but if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy," Hegseth said. He also addressed Iran's nuclear program. "The war department will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon. Never." he said.

President Donald Trump announced Monday that the military would blockade Iran's ports in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf after U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan failed to reach a breakthrough. The conflict began with U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, and key sticking points in the negotiations include a ceasefire in Lebanon, control of the Strait of Hormuz and the future of Iran's nuclear program.

The blockade had been in force for more than 24 hours and was being enforced by more than 10,000 sailors, Marines and aircrew, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine said. The U.S. Navy has transmitted messages to ships instructing them not to attempt to breach the blockade and to turn around or prepare to be boarded. Since the blockade began, that warning has been executed 13 times, and 13 ships leaving Iranian ports turned around in response. No ships have been boarded.

The U.S. military was monitoring Iran's military movements during the current pause in fighting. Major-General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that the blockade could end the pause in hostilities.

A Pakistani delegation arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to coordinate a new round of talks. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the United States remained very much engaged in the negotiations.