Trump Presses Naval Blockade as Economic Leverage on Iran

US President Donald Trump is betting that the ongoing naval blockade of Iran will weaken its economy to the point where it becomes more willing to negotiate with Washington.

In an interview with Axios, Trump said he was 'low-keying' his approach and only 'semi-negotiating' with Iran, suggesting that the regime's economic woes would give the US leverage in any talks.

Iran's economy is indeed struggling, with high inflation and a currency crash sparking nationwide protests in January. The country's Supreme National Security Council has called on the US to lift its naval blockade, end sanctions, pull out its military from the region, pay war reparations, unfreeze Iranian assets, end attacks on Iran's proxies, and stop threatening the country.

The US naval blockade has been reimposed, and it is estimated that about 8 million barrels of oil are being quietly exported each night through a southern lane in the Strait of Hormuz with help from the US military.