Why the U.S. Naval Blockade Has Not Broken Iran

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict The U.S. naval blockade is clearly hurting Iran, but it has not forced Tehran to bend. Iranian oil exports have fallen sharply, vessel traffic is down, ships have been turned back or seized, and the pressure on Iran’s economy is real. But the blockade is not airtight. Shadow fleet cargoes are still getting through; oil already at sea has given Tehran breathing room. The U.S. pushed through a three-week extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire after White House talks. We saw Trump shift again, talking…