Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft has said that the United States has suffered a major strategic loss due to its naval blockade on Iranian ports. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he stated that the economic cost of the blockade has far exceeded the White House’s expectations. Parsi noted that Iran has endured decades of sanctions and economic pressure without capitulating.

He warned that both sides might sustain their positions for a few more weeks, but the situation is worsening daily. The stalemate, he added, is severely affecting third countries, citing Kuwait as an example, which has been unable to export oil for a month—an unprecedented situation in decades. Parsi also expressed hope that pressure from major powers, including China, could push both sides toward a diplomatic solution.

Referring to the withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany, Parsi argued that the United States has suffered a strategic defeat, raising global doubts about the reliability of America’s security umbrella.