The U.S. Is Back to Squeezing Iran's Economy

"The blockade is 'the least bad option' after the collapse of the talks in Islamabad last weekend, one former military official told us. Trump has repeatedly claimed victory in the war, but the regime remains in charge in Tehran and has used its control of the strait to impose steep economic costs on the world."

"U.S. intelligence suggests that Iran may be more economically fragile than it is letting on, and that the loss of oil revenue from the blockade might force its hand, U.S. officials told us."

"The war's outcome may now be decided by whether the U.S. or Iran blinks first from the economic pain and returns to the negotiating table with concessions."

"One is the rest of the world, which will suffer prolonged economic pain while Washington and Tehran engage and stare each other down at sea."

After military efforts failed to compel Iran to negotiate, the U.S. is imposing a naval blockade to exert economic pressure. This strategy aims to weaken Iran's economy, which relies on energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz, in hopes of gaining an advantage in future talks. The blockade is seen as a necessary step following unsuccessful negotiations. The outcome may hinge on which side can endure the economic strain longer, while the global economy faces repercussions from the ongoing conflict.

Read at The Atlantic