[45683] Consequences of the naval blockade on Iran: A surge in energy prices and a domestic economic crisis

Geopolitical and economic impacts of the tension in the Persian Gulf

The global market continues to respond to the security tensions in the Persian Gulf. According to Iran International, oil prices are recording further gains, with Brent crude trading at $111.48 per barrel. Simultaneously, a report by the official IRNA agency and the 'Akharin Khabar' website points to a sharp rise in fuel prices in the US, which have reached $4.39 per gallon.

Inside Iran, the economic situation continues to deteriorate. Diverse media outlets, including Khabar-e Fouri and Fanavari-e Fouri, report that after 63 days of a total internet blackout, the direct and indirect economic damage is estimated at $3 billion. According to the reports, about 10 million people have had their livelihoods impacted, with approximately 2 million of them fired from their jobs—data defined as "conservative" based on estimates from the Ministry of Communications and the Chamber of Commerce.

Conversely, elements identified with the regime in Iran are presenting a belligerent stance. Members of 'Hamian-e Pezeshkian' cite the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, who claims that "the Strait of Hormuz is Iran's atomic bomb" and that the blockade is evidence of a "strategic failure of the US." However, international sources such as DW Persian analyze the move as a desperate attempt by Gulf states to find bypass routes, while Epoch Times Persian warns that the accumulation of oil on tankers without the ability to unload may soon lead to a sharp decline in Iranian oil production.

Independent and anti-regime press, such as the 'Shab-Nameh' channel, sharply criticizes the government's priorities, arguing that while the country is suffering massive losses, the regime continues to intensify internal punishment for minor offenses compared to the loss of national capital.