Trump's Final Moves Cripple Iran's Strategic Threats and Economy

The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has not officially ended, but former President Donald Trump has effectively neutralized Iran's last strategic leverage. Through precise and cautious actions, Trump eliminated the threat posed by Iranian naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy passage. This move removed Iran's ability to threaten one of the world's most important energy transit routes.

Approximately 15 million barrels of oil pass daily through the Strait of Hormuz and alternative routes. Venezuela, now an ally of Trump, supplies nearly 2 million barrels per day, reducing reliance on Iranian and Middle Eastern oil, especially from China. As a result, the U.S. under Trump controls nearly 20 million barrels daily, matching pre-conflict export levels from Hormuz. Oil prices reflect this stability, with Brent crude at $90 per barrel and U.S. oil at $85, far below earlier pessimistic forecasts.

Trump's strategy resembles the 19th-century Anaconda Plan during the American Civil War, which slowly strangled the South by blocking rivers and ports. Similarly, Iran faces increasing isolation, inflation, and economic hardship. Its military capabilities, built over 50 years, cannot be restored under current conditions. The U.S. and Israel retain the ability to strike anywhere in Iran at any time. The strategic importance of Hormuz is diminishing as alternative export routes through the Red Sea and the Israeli port of Haifa become more viable.

Each day, Iran grows poorer and weaker, a reality that surpasses all other issues, including the Strait of Hormuz and upcoming U.S. midterm elections. Trump's final moves have decisively shifted the balance in the U.S.-Iran confrontation, leaving Iran isolated and strategically constrained.