The US blockade on Iran’s ports is approaching the three-month mark and is placing the Islamic Republic’s economy under unprecedented strain. Oil exports to China have been Iran’s economic mainstay as US sanctions ratcheted up in recent years, but observed Iranian crude oil and condensate loadings have come to a complete halt in recent weeks.
As of 5 October, CENTCOM had redirected 130 vessels, disabled three that refused to comply and destroyed another 13 that “were violating the blockade or part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ [IRGC] multibillion-dollar shadow network.” (CONTINUED - 919 WORDS)
