🔺Former U.S. defense secretary emphasizes the importance of a maritime blockade in keeping economic pressure on the Islamic Republic

▪ The defense minister in Donald Trump’s first administration called the maritime blockade key to maintaining economic pressure on the Islamic Republic, and added that this economic pressure ultimately brings the Islamic Republic to the negotiating table, although the process is lengthy and requires discipline and patience.

▪ Mark Esper told News that the maritime blockade has pushed inflation in Iran above 80 percent, the value of the rial has fallen, and government revenue has decreased.

▪ Esper described the blockade as a substitute for two other options: a ground attack, or a complete retreat from the Strait of Hormuz.

▪ He assessed that the Islamic Republic, along with the Houthis, is trying to draw Trump into a confrontation before the midterm elections and, by creating an incident, raise the price of gasoline and diesel.