• President Trump asserts Iran's economy will collapse under a U.S. blockade, calling it 'just a question of time.'
  • U.S. naval pressure on Iranian ports and oil shipping aims to cut revenue, with strikes degrading military capabilities.
  • Iran seeks workarounds to maintain exports, but analysts warn of severe macroeconomic disruption.

A Waiting Game

President Trump said the U.S. expects Iran’s economy to collapse under mounting pressure from a naval blockade targeting its ports and oil shipping, arguing the conflict can be resolved without urgency. "It's just a question of time," he said in a radio interview, framing the strategy as a slow strangle on Iranian revenue. The remarks come as U.S. officials describe an extended blockade scenario, with the Navy tightening enforcement to curb oil exports.

According to people familiar with the matter, the pressure campaign has already disrupted Iranian shipping, forcing Tehran to explore storage workarounds to avoid a full production halt. Trump claimed that U.S. strikes have "severely weakened" Iran’s military leadership and capabilities, though he provided no specifics. "They’re being cut off from revenue, and their military is degraded," he said.

The economic toll is mounting. Analysts warn that the combination of port restrictions and sanctions is fueling inflation and public anger inside Iran, raising risks of unrest. “This is maximum pressure on steroids,” said one former U.S. official. “The goal is to make the cost of defiance unbearable.”

Regional and Market Ripples

The blockade concept—narrowly framed as targeting Iranian shipping rather than all commerce—has drawn scrutiny. Critics note that it risks escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil. Trump, however, expressed confidence that Iran would be prevented from developing a nuclear weapon, adding, “We’re not in a rush.”

Oil markets have reacted with volatility, exacerbated by recent OPEC-related shifts. A prolonged blockade could tighten global supply, though the U.S. appears willing to tolerate near-term price pressures. “This is about leverage,” said a Gulf-based analyst. “Time is on Washington’s side if Iran can’t adapt.”

Iranian officials have not publicly responded to Trump’s latest comments. Efforts to reach Iran’s mission to the UN for comment were unsuccessful.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the timing of Trump's radio appearance; it occurred Thursday morning.