Analysts say President Trump is pursuing new sanctions, a maritime blockade and
pressure on Iran's trading partners to achieve by economic isolation what bombs
and missiles could not — force Iran to accept US terms. Iran’s Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) effectively controls the Strait of Hormuz and
has launched large numbers of attack drones repeatedly into the Persian Gulf;
the IRGC is largely impervious to economic pressure and retains substantial
retaliation options. Treasury Secretary Bessent will unveil details on Monday of
a plan to shift confrontation from regional air strikes to comprehensive
economic isolation. If the economic squeeze takes hold, Iran is likely to
respond with military strikes targeting Gulf energy infrastructure to push oil
prices higher and raise the cost of US action, potentially forcing a US policy
reversal.
