Iran could withstand U.S. blockade for months, Western officials and experts say

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military blockade of Iran’s ports will eventually deprive Tehran of crucial oil revenue, but the regime could likely withstand the pressure for months without a major economic crisis or lasting damage to its oil fields, energy industry analysts and two Western officials familiar with intelligence assessments told NBC News

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military blockade of Iran’s ports will eventually deprive Tehran of crucial oil revenue, but the regime could likely withstand the pressure for months without a major economic crisis or lasting damage to its oil fields, energy industry analysts and two Western officials familiar with intelligence assessments told NBC News.

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After the blockade was imposed about a month ago, President Donald Trump and top officials in his administration suggested it would produce an immediate crisis for Iran’s oil sector.

Trump said last month that Iran’s oil infrastructure could “explode” possibly within three days because the blockade meant Tehran could not export the oil it’s pumping from wells. “If they don’t get their oil moving, their whole oil infrastructure is going to explode,” Trump told reporters.