US vows deeper sanctions, indefinite Hormuz blockade as tanker attacks rise

The United States has warned it will sustain an indefinite naval blockade of Iranian ports while pursuing additional economic isolation measures against Tehran as ceasefire negotiations remain stalled. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the Navy can rotate ships to maintain the operation without end, yet reports have surfaced of severe conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln that include sailors attempting to jump overboard amid the prolonged deployment.

Iranian authorities have rejected American assertions of control over the Strait of Hormuz, insisting the waterway stays closed until their demands are met. Only a small number of vessels have transited in recent days, far below pre-conflict averages of more than one hundred ships daily. Ship-tracking data showed nine passages on Thursday and none visible early Friday, underscoring the choke point's effective shutdown since Iran sealed it in March.

Two tankers operated by Abu Dhabi's state-owned ADNOC came under drone attack while crossing the strait on Thursday evening. The UAE government attributed the strikes to Iran and described them as piracy that threatens global energy security. No injuries occurred, but the incidents highlight ongoing risks for commercial traffic. Iran has offered no immediate comment on the attacks.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated fresh sanctions targeting Iran's economy are forthcoming, measures he described as unprecedented in scope. These steps follow months of pressure that have curtailed Iranian oil exports and strained state finances. President Trump has characterized the approach as a mix of low-key engagement and sustained leverage, noting the regime's difficulty paying its forces.

The blockade and sanctions have produced mixed results on the ground. Iranian officials point to their continued hold over the strait as a negotiating asset, while US statements emphasize the capacity for long-term enforcement through ship rotations. Lawmakers have voiced concern over crew welfare on vessels enforcing the cordon, raising questions about operational sustainability.

Vice President JD Vance has listed affordable domestic energy supplies as the administration's top priority alongside preventing Iranian nuclear advancement. Yet tanker attacks and minimal strait traffic suggest Iran's countermeasures continue to disrupt energy flows despite the US presence. Regional analysts note that Tehran's ability to restrict passage remains its strongest bargaining chip in any renewed talks.

The situation leaves both sides locked in a standoff where economic hardship and military posturing intersect without clear resolution. Iranian statements stress that reopening the strait depends on acceptance of their conditions, while Washington insists it can outlast any resistance through indefinite rotation of forces.