Economic pressure on Iran, the U.S. is in control of the Strait of Hormuz

 Direct translation

Breaking News! Rubio reveals major information

Editor : Fang Xun / Source: World Journal / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0826/2425619.html /  Image : An anti-American poster on a street in Tehran, Iran, photographed on 24 August 2026. (Associated Press)

Axios reported on the 25th that a U.S. official and another source familiar with the matter revealed that Secretary of State Rubio recently told several foreign ministers that the U.S. "currently" does not expect to launch a new attack on Iran, and will instead focus on other pressure tactics, including the sanctions announced this week.

The sources indicated that Rubio outlined the Trump administration's current Iran policy, including temporarily avoiding military action, increasing economic pressure through a naval blockade and new sanctions, and transporting as much oil as possible into the global energy market via the Strait of Hormuz. However, U.S. officials stated that while Rubio clearly stated the U.S. has no plans to resume large-scale warfare, he did not rule out a strike should Iran launch a preemptive strike.

Axios pointed out that the U.S. believes the naval blockade is strangling Iran while allowing more and more oil to be transported through the Strait of Hormuz. All indications suggest that President Trump is annoyed by the U.S.-Iran war and wants it to end, at least for now. A U.S. official stated that the U.S. is expected to maintain this policy at least until after the midterm elections, after which new military action may again become an option.

Furthermore, U.S. officials stated that most of the mines in the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared, and the increasing number of oil tankers passing through the southern channel in recent weeks has significantly weakened Iran's ability to influence global energy markets. Another U.S. official described the U.S. mine-clearing of the Strait as a watershed moment in the US-Iran war, essentially eliminating one of Iran's main bargaining chips. The official said, "The Iranians have lost control of the Strait; now the U.S. is in control."

Meanwhile, the maritime blockade is also cutting off a vital source of revenue for Iran. U.S. officials stated that almost no oil tankers have been spotted on Kharag Island, Iran's main oil export hub, in the past two weeks.

U.S. officials stated that the situation in the Strait, coupled with the continued increase in oil shipments from the Persian Gulf, has deprived Iran of a crucial bargaining chip in future negotiations, rendering any potential agreements between Oman and Iran involving the Strait irrelevant. One U.S. official said, "We are not negotiating with Iran now; we are pressuring them. This pressure may force the Iranians back to the negotiating table."