Brief
Trump says U.S. can keep Iran blockade for another year, UN ambassador warns of stalemate
U.S. officials say the conflict with Iran may continue for another year despite a slight rise in Gulf oil shipments.
By Felo News Desk · Published
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told the Financial Times on Friday that the United States could maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports for "the foreseeable future," adding that the war with Iran might still be ongoing a year from now.
What happened
President Donald Trump reposted a Wall Street Journal headline on his social‑media platform on Thursday, noting that more oil was now flowing out of the Persian Gulf than before the war began on Feb. 28. Ship‑tracker Kpler reported that shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and alternative routes averaged more than 24 million barrels per day in the week through Oct. 18, about 700,000 barrels (3%) above the pre‑war level of 23.3 million.
What the reports add
The article notes that Brent crude hit over $117 a barrel on Friday, the highest level since April and close to the peak reached at the war’s start, according to the New York Times. Diesel prices, which hit a record $6.52 per gallon on Sept. 22, were averaging $6.31 per gallon on Friday, while regular unleaded was about $4.29 per gallon.
What was said
"The president tends to discount long‑term losses over short‑term gain, and I am skeptical if there is any short gain to be had here," pollster Chris Borick told Reuters. Waltz said, "the president and the U.S. Navy can maintain this blockade [on Iranian ports] for the foreseeable future," in the Financial Times interview.
How it came about
Trump has taken several steps to curb fuel costs, including cutting truck‑driver regulations, offering $8 billion in relief to farmers and striking a fuel‑sanctions deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move critics say may be illegal. Earlier Felo coverage linked Trump’s rhetoric to the ongoing conflict, noting his September remarks that the war could be decided soon and his earlier description of the fighting as "small potatoes."
Key facts
- U.S. UN ambassador Mike Waltz said the blockade of Iranian ports could continue for the foreseeable future. (edition.cnn.com)
- Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz averaged over 24 million barrels per day in the week to Oct. 18, 3% above pre‑war levels. (edition.cnn.com)
- Brent crude reached more than $117 a barrel on Friday, the highest since April. (edition.cnn.com)
- Diesel prices averaged $6.31 per gallon on Friday, after a record $6.52 on Sept. 22. (edition.cnn.com)
- Pollster Chris Borick expressed skepticism about short‑term gains from the president's fuel policies. (edition.cnn.com)
Sources
- [1] edition.cnn.com — originally reported as “Iran war could last another year, Trump ambassador says - Salon.com”
