US vows deeper sanctions, indefinite Hormuz blockade as tanker attacks rise

The United States has indicated it can sustain a naval blockade of Iranian ports for an extended period while pursuing additional economic measures to isolate Tehran, even as ceasefire negotiations remain stalled. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the Navy would rotate vessels to maintain the operation indefinitely, a position echoed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who described upcoming sanctions aimed at unprecedented economic isolation. These moves come amid reports of limited ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and fresh attacks on vessels in the waterway.

Ship-tracking data showed only nine transits on Thursday, well below pre-conflict averages of more than 130 daily passages. Early Friday saw no visible crossings. Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority has asserted that the strait remains under its control and will stay closed until its conditions are met, countering administration claims of restored access. Two tankers operated by Abu Dhabi’s state-owned ADNOC were struck by drones while transiting the strait on Thursday evening, sustaining minor damage but no injuries. The United Arab Emirates attributed the strikes to Iran and described them as acts of piracy threatening regional stability and global energy flows.

The naval presence faces its own logistical strains. Reports have surfaced of difficult conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, including incidents of sailors attempting to leave the ship. These accounts highlight the challenges of prolonged deployments in a high-tension environment, even with planned rotations. The blockade and sanctions together form the core of current US leverage, shifting from direct military engagement to a strategy of sustained economic constriction.

This approach aligns with observations that Iran’s oil exports have become increasingly constrained, contributing to domestic economic pressure and reports of declining morale within regime structures. Historical patterns in Iran show that periods of economic hardship without outright war have sometimes catalyzed public unrest, as seen in earlier episodes following similar “no war, no peace” dynamics. Administration officials have framed the policy as reactive, allowing external pressure to create openings for internal change rather than pursuing repeated strikes or immediate diplomatic resets.

Vice President JD Vance has identified keeping domestic energy prices low and preventing Iranian nuclear advancement as primary objectives. Treasury yields have remained largely stable despite the rhetoric, with the 10-year note showing minimal movement as inflation data stayed contained. Analysts note that while the measures increase costs for Iran, they also test US capacity to balance military commitments with domestic priorities.

Iranian officials have shown no immediate concession on reopening the strait or altering their negotiating stance. The combination of restricted shipping, targeted sanctions, and ongoing naval enforcement leaves both sides in a prolonged standoff where economic endurance and internal cohesion may determine the next phase.