Reuters reported that Hegseth's statement signals he is advising President Donald Trump to continue economic pressure on Iran for as long as necessary to push forward ceasefire negotiations, which have so far failed to produce results.
"Indefinitely the United States Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we'll rotate ships in and out, as we have, and we'll continue to," Hegseth said.
He spoke in Panama after meeting with the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley, which has been deployed to the Middle East.
On Aug. 12, Trump said the U.S. controls the Strait of Hormuz.
"The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, ‘A WALL OF STEEL’, and there is nothing Iran can do about it," he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Since the war began on Feb. 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran has effectively closed the strait, through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments previously passed.
The United States subsequently imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and ports, while saying it would ensure freedom of navigation for vessels heading to or from non-Iranian ports.
Since the war began, Washington has deployed tens of thousands of troops to the Middle East, including more than 20 warships.
Since the blockade began, U.S. forces have redirected more than 55 commercial vessels attempting to break through it. Three ships were disabled, and U.S. forces boarded two others.
Months of American strikes, which hit Iran's leadership and inflicted significant damage on its military capabilities, including its navy, have failed to weaken Tehran's control over the Strait of Hormuz.
In late July, after nearly two weeks of daily strikes, Trump ordered U.S. forces to halt the bombing of Iran.
Tehran subsequently said it still controls the Strait of Hormuz and is not seeking to resume peace talks with the United States.
On July 29, The Wall Street Journal, citing knowledgeable sources, reported that U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper had prepared an option for a large-scale air campaign against Iran that could last 10 to 14 days.
On Aug. 1, the U.S. State Department advised American citizens in the Middle East to "consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation."
On Aug. 6, Trump, commenting on a request to Congress for additional weapons procurement funding, acknowledged that the United States has faced shortages of certain types of munitions after several months of war with Iran.