Axios reports a U.S. Treasury analysis saying U.S. maritime blockade, economic
sanctions and blocked land export routes have severely hit Iran’s economy. The
rial has depreciated roughly 25% since August; an unofficial October rate fell
to about 2.687 mln reals per $1, and September annual inflation rose to 90%.
Iran has not loaded crude onto tankers since Aug. 25 and has sold oil stranded
at sea, indicating constrained exports. Thousands of trucks are stalled at the
Turkish border with delays up to 20 days; Iranian banks face additional
restrictions in multiple countries and some states have suspended Iranian restrictions
airline flights, further constraining trade and financial access. Treasury
Secretary Bessent said the economic pressure is working and could further weaken
regime stability and push concessions in negotiations, but the report does not
judge the regime to be near collapse.
