The US blockade imposed on Iran is taking on a global dimension, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said today, stressing that Tehran had a chance to make a “good deal” with Washington.

“Our blockade is growing and taking on a global dimension,” Hegceth said at a Pentagon news conference.

“No one crosses the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy,” he said. He added that so far the US Navy has so far forced 34 ships to turn back.

He warned that any attempt by Iran to plant more mines would constitute a violation of the ceasefire.

Peace talks between Iran and the United States may resume soon in Pakistan, three Pakistani sources told Reuters today, after the failure of the latest round of talks expected earlier this week.

A Pakistani government source said earlier that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was expected in Islamabad this evening with a small group of delegates and peace talks with the US were likely to take place. The source did not specify with whom the Iranian foreign minister is scheduled to meet.

At the Pentagon press conference, Hegseth said the US is “not worried” about a deal with Iran and echoed Trump’s comments that they have “all the time in the world”.

“Iran knows it still has an open window to make the wise choice… at the negotiating table. All it has to do is give up nuclear weapons in meaningful and verifiable ways,” he said.

Speaking at the same briefing for reporters, Chief of the National Defense Staff Gen.S. Central Command/CENTCOM) continues its strict blockade on all Iranian ports. The U.S. military will continue to ban Iranian ships from entering the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Cain added.

“We are enforcing the blockade across the board against any ship of any nationality transiting from or to an Iranian port or territory,”

“We are closely monitoring vessels of interest heading to Iran and those departing from Iran that were outside the blockade area when this blockade was ordered and.. we are prepared and able to intercept them,” he continued.

The US naval blockade on Iran began on April 13.

Heggseth brushed past Pope Leo’s critical statements against the war in Iran, with the US Pentagon chief saying the pontiff “will keep doing what he’s doing” and that’s OK.