Iran's Economic Strain Deepens as U.S. Blockade Takes Toll

The U.S. economic warfare against Iran is hitting the regime's sources of power as troops go without pay, just as they are needed to quell growing unrest in southeastern provinces. U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper said the naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting at least $25 billion worth of crude oil. The effects have rippled throughout Iran's economy, forcing the regime to withhold salaries, pensions, and benefits to workers in the energy, manufacturing, construction, and security sectors, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The financial strain on Iran's military has become so significant that there are reports of Iran-aligned militia groups across the region withholding payments to their soldiers in order to funnel money back to the IRGC, which also is not paying its troops. Iran's economic collapse is so severe that even Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has expressed concern. Earlier this month, state media said Mohsen Rezaei, Iran's top security official, admitted that the situation is one of the most difficult periods the country has ever faced.