Evening Briefing Europe

US Signals No Let Up of Iran Blockade as War Drives Up Crude Price

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Oil tankers navigates the sea near Qeshm Island, Iran in the Strait of Hormuz on April 28.Photographer: Asghar Besharati/Getty Images via Getty Images Europe

The United States has signaled there will be no let up of its naval blockade of Iranian ports as it attempts to choke the country’s oil exports to force it back to the negotiating table.

President Donald Trump is said to have discussed steps the US could take to prolong its blockade of Iran during a meeting with oil and trading industry executives. He claimed earlier today that Iran is “in a state of collapse,” while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington’s military campaign had caused Iran’s inflation to accelerate.