Iran is widening its pressure campaign to force U.S. concessions, leveraging the Middle East's trade routes, shipping lanes and energy infrastructure to steadily raise the cost of confrontation, according to Gulf officials and analysts.
The strategy involves targeting key chokepoints, including the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and is crucial for global oil shipments. By disrupting or threatening to disrupt this critical shipping lane, Iran aims to increase the costs and risks associated with maintaining a military presence in the region, thereby pressuring the U.S. to negotiate concessions.