Blockade

Popular protests may be inevitable, warns Iran's Supreme National Security Council - Iran Intl

Iran’s economy cannot withstand more than six to eight weeks of naval blockade, according to the report presented to the Security Council. The US blockade has now been in place for two weeks.

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 2026. The nationwide protests started in Tehran's Grand Bazaar against the failing economic policies in late December, which spread to universities and other cities
People carry pre-revolutionary Iranian flags, wave US and Israeli flags, and carry banners supporting the war in Iran during a march in New York City, March 15, 2026; illustrative.

Support for Iran war among US Jews has eroded since operations began, JPPI survey shows

An aerial view shows a petrochemical plant in operation by the Yangtze River in Nanjing, in eastern China's Jiangsu province November 26, 2025.

US imposes sanctions on Chinese 'teapot' refinery for buying Iranian oil

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent looks on as he speaks to the media after two days of meetings with a Chinese delegation, in Paris, France March 16, 2026

US will not renew Iranian, Russian oil waivers, Treasury Secretary tells Associated Press


US blockade of Hormuz successful despite media reports suggesting otherwise, maritime expert says

The seven large container ships detected near the Chabahar Port are not a sign that Iran is considering shifting activity to the east of Hormuz, as had initially been theorized.

A satellite image shows the ship movement at the Strait of Hormuz on April 2, 2026.

Ships seized by Iran taken to Bandar Abbas as countries check on sailors' wellbeing

The IRGC seized the ships on Wednesday, with both crews reported as safe, as their home countries actively seek their return.

US forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska on April 20, 2026, after firing upon the Iranian-flagged vessel that the U.S. accused of attempting to violate the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, Hezbollah ceasefires need enforcement, not just declarations, to sustain calm - editorial

Trump’s strategy mixes ceasefire and economic pressure on Iran, as Israel confronts rising threats from Hezbollah on the northern border.

Iranians walk past an anti-USA and anti-Israel mural, in Tehran on April 21 2026, amid a ceasefire in the region.

Senator Lindsey Graham speaks to Trump, Hegseth on 'way forward' in Iran conflict

The South Carolina Republican described the discussion's focus as "the way forward regarding the Iran conflict," while also warning countries against assisting Iran's oil distribution efforts.

US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the Chairman of the Senate Budget Commission speaks during a Senate Committee on the Budget hearing to examine the President's fiscal year 2027 budget proposal in Capitol Hill on April 16, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Strait of Hormuz traffic falls to single digits as security fears keep ships stuck

As a ceasefire lowers the risk of direct escalation, movement through Hormuz remains weak, with experts warning that the immediate problem is maritime security, not the lack of pipeline plans.

Maps4Media processed and enhanced Sentinal-2 satellite imagery shows a broad view of the Strait of Hormuz between southern Iran and Oman's Musandam Peninsula.

US planning to seize Iran-linked ships in coming days, WSJ says - report

The potential US military action comes as Iran tightens its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, including attacking several ships earlier on Saturday.

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks as a map of the Strait of Hormuz is displayed during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2026.

Trump announces he will have updates on Iran ‘by the end of today'

Trump said on Friday that he may end the ceasefire with Iran unless a long-term deal to end the war is agreed upon by Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the press aboard Air Force One on April 17, 2026 just prior to landing at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

US renews Russian oil waiver after pressure from countries dealing with Iran war price shocks

The Treasury Department's waiver lets countries purchase Russian oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels as of Friday through May 16.

An aerial view shows the oil tanker named Boracay (also called Pushpa), a vessel being investigated by French authorities and suspected of belonging to the so-called "shadow fleet" involved in the Russian oil trade, off the coast of the western France port of Saint-Nazaire, France, October 2, 2025

Five tankers seen loading oil on Iran's Kharg Island, as US blockades Strait of Hormuz - report

Another five tankers, loaded with approximately 9 million barrels of oil, were spotted in the Gulf of Oman earlier this week and are no longer visible in the images.

An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Shinas, Oman, March 11, 2026.

Iran’s economy could collapse within three months under naval blockade, experts warn

An expert on Iran's military noted that Iranian authorities have previously declared that if they are denied access to their ports, they will prevent other countries in the region from using theirs.

SCREENSHOT FROM a video released by Iranian media showing an encounter between the IRGC Navy and a US warship in the Strait of Hormuz, which they claim withdrew from the area after receiving a warning.