Can Iran withstand the US naval blockade?
Key takeaways
- The Trump administration is trying to force Iran into concessions by cutting off its oil exports.
- The US could extend its naval blockade of Iranian ports, or launch a new wave of attacks to pressure the Iranian regime to give in.
- Indeed, the Wall Street Journal reports that US President Donald Trump is preparing a long-term blockade of Iran.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
The Trump administration is trying to force Iran into concessions by cutting off its oil exports. Will it prevail?
Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is at near standstill, says the UNImage: REUTERSA ceasefire has been in place between the US and Iran after weeks of fighting, with Washington now seeking ways out of the conflict with Iran. Two options are on the table. The US could extend its naval blockade of Iranian ports, or launch a new wave of attacks to pressure the Iranian regime to give in.
"The US often combines strategic messaging and deliberate ambiguity to give it room for maneuver," says Iran expert Fatemeh Aman, who previously worked for Washington D.C.'s Middle East Institute and the Atlantic Council.