After abandoning all-out war against Iran, President Donald Trump opted to maintain economic pressure on Tehran, claiming the U.S. naval blockade is crippling Iran’s economy with soaring inflation and unpaid troops. The U.S. administration acknowledged that roughly 8 million barrels are quietly exiting the Persian Gulf each night via an alternate route, but Iran demands the lifting of the blockade, an end to sanctions, and American military withdrawal before any negotiations. Tensions persist within the regime between pragmatists led by President Pezeshkian who favor a deal, and hardliners from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who reject dialogue with Washington. Despite 40 days of bombardment and two additional weeks of attacks, the U.S. failed to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz while its munitions stockpiles are running low.
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