U.S. Naval Blockade Drains Iran’s Oil Stockpiles, Pressuring Economy

Iran’s floating oil stockpiles have nearly vanished under the reimposed U.S. naval blockade, dropping to 866,000 barrels by mid-October from nearly 150 million barrels in April, severely threatening Tehran’s export revenues and intensifying economic pressure. Kpler data cited by the Wall Street Journal shows the blockade, lifted in June after a ceasefire deal then reimposed in July when talks collapsed, has left no oil to discharge to China. Analysts suggest the U.S. gambles that economic strain will force Iran back to nuclear negotiations or spark internal protests. Iran’s central bank governor denies economic collapse, citing resilience, while peace prospects remain distant as Iranian leaders cite distrust of the U.S. Meanwhile, record fuel prices and falling approval ratings for President Trump complicate the U.S. position ahead of midterms, with Moody’s estimating the war’s cost to U.S. households at $265 billion.