U.S. Central Command says a naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting at least $25 billion in crude oil, causing severe economic strain that has left troops unpaid and fuelled domestic unrest.
01Summary
- 01CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper said the blockade has stopped $25bn in oil exports and frozen nearly $350m in cryptocurrency assets.
- 02Salaries, pensions and benefits have been withheld from workers in energy, manufacturing, construction and security, including the IRGC.
- 03Iran-aligned militia groups are withholding payments to soldiers to funnel money back to the IRGC, which is also not paying its troops.
- 04Inflation in Iran is near 90% and accelerating, with workers quitting and retirees protesting over unpaid pensions.
- 05At least eight security force members have been killed in the past three weeks in separatist attacks in Sistan and Baluchestan.
02Why it matters
The economic collapse weakens Iran's ability to maintain internal security and regional influence, which could destabilise the wider Middle East and affect global oil shipping routes.
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