US Deploys Second Aircraft Carrier to Intensify Naval Blockade on Iran

WASHINGTON: The United States is set to significantly strengthen its naval blockade against Iran, with a second aircraft carrier expected to join operations in the coming days, according to senior US defense officials.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the ongoing maritime blockade is expanding in both scale and enforcement. He described the operation as an “iron-clad” effort stretching from the Gulf of Oman into broader international waters.

“Our Navy is enforcing this blockade without hesitation or apology,” Hegseth said, adding that the additional aircraft carrier would further enhance the US military’s presence and operational capability in the region.

According to US officials, at least 34 vessels have already altered their routes in response to the blockade measures. However, Washington maintains that non-Iranian ships are still permitted to navigate freely, provided they do not engage in activities that violate US restrictions.

The move follows earlier remarks by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, who clarified that the US strategy does not involve shutting down the Strait of Hormuz entirely. Instead, the focus remains on restricting access to Iranian ports and coastal waters.

The blockade, which began on April 13, targets maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports on both sides of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy chokepoint responsible for roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

While US authorities insist that international shipping lanes remain open, tensions have risen amid reports that Iran has considered imposing transit fees in the region, a claim not officially confirmed by Tehran.

The deployment of additional naval assets signals a continued escalation in pressure by Washington, raising concerns over potential disruptions to global energy markets and increased geopolitical instability in the Middle East.