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Pentagon Underestimated Iran's Strait of Hormuz Closure, Sources Say
The U.S. underestimated Iran's move to close the Strait of Hormuz, halting nearly 20% of global oil exports and disrupting shipping amid ongoing military conflict.
- At a Pentagon briefing Friday, Mar 13, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the Strait of Hormuz is open and 'We have been dealing with it, and don't need to worry about it'.
- Hegseth asserted the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, despite ongoing attacks on commercial shipping after the Feb. 28 strikes that targeted Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- Hegseth said the military has struck more than 15,000 targets, with Iran's missile volume down 90% and attack drones down 95%, adding, 'Fighters and bombers, all day picking targets as they choose.'
- Brent crude traded near $99 Friday as a record 400-million-barrel IEA emergency reserve release has not brought prices down.
- Looking beyond immediate effects, Hegseth said the U.S. has a plan for every option and will not allow the Strait of Hormuz to remain contested, while the military investigation into the Feb. 28 school strike found likely civilian deaths exceeding 170.
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Sources tell CNN that the Pentagon and the National Security Council did not expect Iran's retaliation.
·Denmark
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Trump warns Iran again over closure of Strait of Hormuz — ‘US will be bombing the hell out of shoreline’
Donald Trump has warned that the US “will be bombing the h*ll out of the shoreline” at the Strait of Hormuz in Iran. He also expressed hope that other countries would also send their war ships to the area.
·New Delhi, India
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Israel and the United States attacked targets in Iran on February 28. One of the consequences of the attack is Iran's announcement that the Strait of Hormuz will be permanently closed.
The Pentagon and the US National Security Council did not take into account the potential implications of this scenario.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources63
Leaning Left17Leaning Right15Center15Last UpdatedBias Distribution36% Left
Bias Distribution
- 36% of the sources lean Left
36% Left
L 36%
C 32%
R 32%
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