Tehran Admits Strength of US Naval Blockade: 'Cutting Off Arteries' Campaign Shakes Iran

The Iranian Ministry of Interior admitted that the US naval blockade is affecting the country, but emphasized it will not be limited to the Iranian economy alone, stating Tehran "will not remain idle" and will take "a strong reaction," according to its statement.

The ministry spokesperson, Ali Zaini Vand, said: "It is natural that this blockade will certainly affect Iran, but the impact is not confined solely to the Iranian economy."

He added: "We are not standing idle, and we will undoubtedly take decisive action and a strong response. If the United States believes it can achieve something by closing off the sea for several months or a year, it is mistaken."

The interior ministry spokesperson claimed a complete blockade of Iran is impossible, citing the country’s geographic location, vast borders, and multiple trade and transport routes.

He said: "A country with 15 neighboring nations, all shared borders, the Caspian Sea, benefiting from dozens and hundreds of border markets, and possessing diverse air transport routes cannot be subjected to an absolute blockade."

He asserted that Iranians’ resilience would surpass the effects of the blockade, stating: "Our people’s ability to endure will surely exceed these pressures, and we will inevitably overcome this recurring threat."

These statements come amid the continued US-imposed blockade on Iranian southern ports. The US Central Command announced the start of the blockade on April 13, 2026, which paused on June 18, before Washington announced its resumption effective July 14.

The Central Command stated that its forces redirected over 140 ships during the first phase of the blockade, disabled nine ships it claimed were non-compliant, while allowing more than 50 commercial vessels linked to humanitarian aid to pass through.

Alongside military and naval pressure, Washington has intensified its economic sanctions against Iran. On August 24, 2026, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the launch of a campaign dubbed "Operation Economic Outcast," aimed at severing Iran’s financial and economic arteries worldwide.

He warned countries continuing to engage with Iran that they could face secondary US sanctions, urging them to cut financial and commercial ties with Tehran. He stated that the United States has informed relevant nations that continuing dealings with Iran could expose them to actions by the US Treasury.

These measures form part of a broader US strategy targeting Iran’s ability to export oil, access foreign currency, and participate in the global financial system—coinciding with the naval blockade—placing increasing pressure on Iran’s economy and making Tehran’s ability to maintain its external trade channels one of the central issues in the current confrontation.