Eight months after the start of the war with Iran, the U.S. Navy continues to enforce the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while the Pentagon now extends measures to Iran’s land borders and maritime routes in the Caspian Sea. The Task Force Iron Gate, created by CENTCOM, is tasked with tracking and blocking advanced weapons, dual-use technologies, sanctioned equipment, and financial flows destined for Tehran. Reuters reported that Tehran has imported at least $2 billion in explosives and heavy trucks since January 2025, while the naval blockade has deprived Iran of more than $25 billion in crude oil sales and diverted 144 vessels. Divisions between President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and the administration’s hawks are shaping the conflict’s future, as Congress prepares to consider funding for military operations. Brent fell more than 13% to $98.32, bitcoin remained close to $75,630, and equity markets suffered a sharp decline driven by concerns about artificial intelligence and Federal Reserve policy.
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