April 16 (UPI) -- Gen. Dan Caine told the press Thursday that 13 ships have turned away from the U.S. blockade on the Strait of Hormuz so far.
Caine, the chairman of the White House Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the blockade, which began on Monday, applies to all ships using Iranian ports, regardless of their country of origin. He added that U.S. forces will pursue any Iranian vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran.
"Enforcement will occur inside Iran's territorial seas and in international waters," Caine said. "As we continue to hold this blockade at the order of the secretary and the president, any vessel that fails to comply with our instructions will be dealt with accordingly.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined Caine for a briefing on the Iran war at the Pentagon on Thursday morning. Hegseth said the pair were briefed by U.S. Central Command Commander Bradley Cooper prior to addressing the press.
Cooper is leading the effort to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring that U.S. forces are "maximally postured to restart combat operations should this new Iranian regime choose poorly and not agree to a deal," Hegseth said.
