US Naval Blockade Halted Iran Oil Exports for First Time Ever

For the first time on record, Iran has gone without shipping meaningful crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz for seven weeks. A US naval blockade has succeeded in cutting off one of Tehran's main sources of foreign-currency earnings, which sanctions failed to do.

The blockade has been in place since August 15 and has effectively halted oil shipments from Iran. This is a significant development, as the Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global oil supplies.

Ahmad Ghaddar, Enes Tunagur, and Robert Harvey reported this story for Reuters on September 1, citing unnamed sources.