United States President Donald Trump has declared that Iran has been "severely punished" by the American naval blockade, which he described as "extremely powerful and effective."
Speaking at the “Steel Across America” event near the White House, Trump reiterated that Tehran will not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. “Iran will not have nuclear weapons. And they have been punished severely,” the US president said, while also praising the US military’s actions against Iran.
Trump expressed particular satisfaction with the results of the American naval blockade, saying that it has been "so powerful and so effective" that, according to him, no one had predicted that it would work this way.
The US president's statements come at a time when pressure on Tehran has increased significantly. The United States has combined a naval blockade with new economic sanctions, aimed at limiting Iranian oil exports and the revenues that finance the country's economy. According to Reuters, Iranian oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz have been hit hard by the blockade, increasing economic pressure on Tehran.
Meanwhile, the clash between Washington and Tehran also remains military. The United States has launched attacks on Iranian targets, while Iran has warned of retaliation and opposed the American blockade.
In June, the US and Iran reached a memorandum of understanding after mediation by Pakistan and Qatar, aimed at ending hostilities and creating a framework for further negotiations. However, the agreement has failed to stop the escalation of the conflict. Tehran accuses Washington of violating its commitments and demands an end to US military operations and the naval blockade.
Trump, on the other hand, has signaled that his administration will continue to exert maximum pressure on Iran. In recent days, the United States has also increased economic measures, including new sanctions on Iran's aviation sector and companies suspected of helping Tehran circumvent American restrictions.
The clash between the two countries remains one of the main factors of instability in the Middle East, while American pressure on Iran and Tehran's response increase concerns about a further escalation of the conflict.
