US Defense Secretary says no plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there is no concrete plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial traffic.

The admission comes as the U.S. maintains a blockade of Iranian shipping during an ongoing war with Iran. Because the strait is a critical artery for global energy and trade, the lack of a transition strategy creates significant economic uncertainty for international markets.

During a Pentagon news conference on April 24, 2026 ^[1], Hegseth said he would not provide specific details on how the U.S. intends to restore commercial shipping. He instead shifted the focus toward international cooperation. "We need our allies to step up over the Strait of Hormuz," Hegseth said ^[2].

This public stance follows congressional hearings held on April 23 and 24, 2026 ^[3]. During those proceedings, Hegseth faced questioning regarding the strategic direction of the conflict and the associated costs of the military operation. Despite the absence of a formalized plan to lift the blockade, Hegseth requested a defense budget of $1.5 trillion ^[3].

Critics have pointed to the gap between the requested funding and the lack of a defined exit strategy. Hegseth said to Congress, "We have no Iran plan, but give us $1.5 trillion anyway" ^[3].

The blockade remains a central pillar of the current U.S. strategy to pressure the Iranian government. While some reports suggest the administration is seeking a coordinated effort with allies to address the strait ^[2], Hegseth said he has not detailed what that coordination entails or how it differs from the current stalemate.