U.S. treasury secretary addresses Strait of Hormuz tensions and Iranian sanctions

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the United States is actively managing the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting Tehran's claims of maritime control. Bessent emphasized a 'fire only when fired upon' military policy and urged international partners to increase pressure on Iran. Regarding the economic situation, he noted that the U.S. is imposing a strict financial blockade, which he claims has hindered Iran's ability to pay its military forces. U.S. Central Command reported that the passage of 49 ships has been blocked over the last 24 hours. While Bessent acknowledged that high gas prices affect American consumers, he expressed confidence that these costs will decline once the crisis de-escalates. He further called on China to leverage its diplomatic influence to support the opening of the strait, noting that an upcoming meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping offers a venue for further discussion. Reports from Fars alleging that an American warship was struck by Iran have been officially denied by U.S. authorities.