The United States has loosened Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz.

This happened in recent weeks.

The U.S. has also almost stopped Iran’s own oil exports.

This makes Iran’s economy weaker fast.

But the war is not over.

The U.S. and Israel started the war in February.

A June agreement fell apart fast.

Low-level fighting continues.

The U.S. has no exit plan.

The economic pressure has not caused an uprising in Iran.

Experts say Iran’s leaders may fight more.

They may not give in.

Iran’s Houthi allies are in Yemen.

They have attacked Saudi Arabia more.

This helped push oil prices up again.

Brent crude rose above $100 a barrel this week.

Diesel hit a record.

Iran closed the strait early in the war.

But now the balance has reversed.

A U.S. blockade has almost stopped Iran’s exports.

U.S. forces have helped Gulf countries export more.

Iran’s oil exports fell.

They were 1.85 million barrels a day last spring.

They were about 255,000 in August.

This is from oil expert Homayoun Falakshahi.

Non-Iranian exports rose.

They were 300,000 barrels a day at the war’s height.

They were 8.4 million in September.

The increased flow depends on a big U.S. deployment.

This has strained the military.

The war has cost U.S. taxpayers more than $37.5 billion.

It has left 18 U.S. service members dead.

Analysts say Washington still has no path to victory.

Iran has kept attacking ships.

Iran shows no sign of backing down.

Experts warn Iran may escalate more.

It may not accept the blockade.