US Eyes Indefinite Naval Blockade of Iran Amid Worsening Economic Crisis

The United States has threatened to maintain an indefinite naval blockade of Iran as economic pressure on Tehran intensifies. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the US military could keep a naval presence in the region to enforce its blockade of Iran, which has had severe economic consequences for the country.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas is transported, remains blocked. Shipping traffic through the strait fell to eight vessels on Tuesday, compared with a 10-day average of about 12 vessels before the war began in February.

The US has previously said it would lift the Iranian blockade once Iran and Oman reach an agreement to restore commercial shipping. However, this seems unlikely as Iran's conditions for reopening the strait include removing economic sanctions and releasing frozen assets.