The United States has suspended its aerial bombardment campaign against Iran, marking a temporary de-escalation in the air domain after nearly two weeks of intensified strikes.
However, the U.S. military confirmed that its naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in full effect, signaling that the strategic pressure on Tehran’s maritime infrastructure is not being lifted.
This mixed signal — a pause in kinetic air attacks coupled with sustained naval containment — leaves the Strait of Hormuz supply risk intact.
Markets are likely to interpret the blockade’s continuation as a persistent threat to global oil flows, preventing a full normalization of risk sentiment despite the cessation of airstrikes.
The naval cordon continues to expose tanker routes to potential disruption, maintaining the structural supply risk that has driven energy volatility.
The development follows a significant intensification of the conflict, with U.S. Central Command confirming the conclusion of a seventh consecutive night of airstrikes earlier this week.