CENTCOM

Hegseth stated that he had a message for the Iranian leadership: "We are watching you. Your capabilities are not the same as ours. Remember, this is not a fair fight."

The deployment reportedly includes a carrier strike group with approximately 6,000 personnel aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, alongside roughly 4,200 Marines.

An expert on Iran's military noted that Iranian authorities have previously declared that if they are denied access to their ports, they will prevent other countries in the region from using theirs.

"No ships made it past the US blockade, and six merchant vessels complied with direction from US forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman," CENTCOM said.

European countries raise concerns over naval blockade • Trump: ‘I don’t care’ if Iran comes back to negotiations • Erdogan threatens military action against Israel

According to US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, the US President is considering a limited operation against Iran following the failed round of negotiations in Islamabad.

"The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas," CENTCOM said in a statement.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a sticking point for both the United States and Iran in ceasefire talks, with Iran estimated to have between 2,000 and 6,000 naval mines.

Vance: No deal reached after talks with Iran • CENTCOM clears underwater mines in Hormuz • Netanyahu says Israel's war with Iran 'not over yet'

The US role in enabling ships to navigate the seas is a legacy of the British Empire's once-dominant role in the world economy and in safeguarding the seas.