The U.S. cannot fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz while Iran cannot stop all ships from transporting oil through the waterway. Regional rivals Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE are using a « dark fleet » to secretly transfer approximately 7 million barrels per day, far below the prewar level of 20 million. Saudi Arabia is now preparing to join its neighbors with shuttle service. The U.S. naval blockade is cutting off Iran’s oil revenue, with officials warning of an already devastated economy. According to Majidreza Hariri of the Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce, the blockade will eventually inflict more economic damage than actual war, and expert Eric Brewer emphasizes that Iran should not be expected to sit idly by.
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