The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander, Adm. Brad Cooper, says a U.S.-run naval blockade and broader economic pressure are imposing major costs on Iran. Cooper states the blockade has denied Iran at least $25 billion in oil export revenue, particularly affecting crude oil shipments, and has limited Iran’s ability to move goods through key maritime routes.
According to the accounts cited, Cooper also links the pressure to operational strain within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), saying Iran cannot fund a “proxy militia” and that the IRGC has difficulty paying its troops. The Times of India also reports an IRGC statement about a recent incident involving a supertanker in the Strait of Hormuz, placing the claims within the broader context of maritime activity in the region.
Outlets differ mainly in emphasis: The Hill focuses on the financial figure tied to oil revenue, while Breitbart highlights the IRGC funding and troop-pay impact. Times of India adds a reference to reported regional tanker activity without directly adjudicating the figures.
