US threatens Iran with an "unprecedented" economic war

The United States has warned it is prepared to maintain an indefinite economic blockade against Iran following a failed six-month-long war and a historic blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened Iran with unprecedented economic measures, which was backed by National Security Advisor Pete Hegseth, stating that Washington could sustain such a blockade indefinitely.

The new economic offensive will involve a combination of unprecedented economic isolation and the ongoing blockade of the Hormuz Strait, preventing any goods from entering or leaving Iranian ports. Treasury Secretary Bessent revealed this during an interview with Newsmax, without providing further details.

The aim is to economically and militarily strangle Iran, compelling Tehran to bend in negotiations. These statements came shortly after National Security Advisor Pete Hegseth assured the press that the U.S. military could maintain a naval blockade against Iran indefinitely. He explained that the Navy would rotate ships, as they have done before, to limit troop exhaustion and ensure the proper condition of the armament.

Multiple media outlets reported that the U.S. aircraft carrier USS George Washington is heading to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed in the Middle East for over 250 days. It was initially meant to be deployed until May. While the U.S. President, Donald Trump, has not announced his plans for the Strait of Hormuz, there is a possibility that Washington may attempt to regain control of the idea of maintaining a plan of escort vessels, supported by fighter jets, drones, and troops deployed on the ground, to protect the passage through the Hormuz Strait while blocking Iranian ports, particularly the island of Kharg, which concentrates most of the country's energy exports.

Alternatively, the blockade could backfire, negatively affecting Western countries that consume oil, gas, and fertilizers that pass through the Hormuz Strait. However, it must be noted that the Iran war has already cost the U.S. Treasury over $40 billion, with indirect losses to the U.S. economy exceeding $80 billion. A large-scale operation to keep the Hormuz Strait open for civil traffic would cost over $500 million daily, according to conservative estimates.

Additionally, Iran has signaled in recent weeks that the Strait of Hormuz is under Teheran's control, making it very difficult for Washington to secure both the transit of Iranian ships and simultaneous passage of commercial traffic.