US threatens open-ended naval blockade of Iran as Hormuz traffic drops
Why it matters: Energy Agency forecasts a 4.3 million-barrel daily supply hit as attacks and inspections choke a key oil route.
The United States signaled it is prepared to keep its naval blockade of Iran in place for as long as needed, tightening pressure on Tehran as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slows and ceasefire efforts falter. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Aug. 13 that the Navy could sustain the operation by rotating ships through the region. The blockade followed the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 and has since cut into Iran’s shipping and port access. Traffic through the strait fell to eight vessels on Aug. 11, down from a prewar flow of 130 to 140 ships a day, while the UAE blamed Iran for attacks on two Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessels.