The United States has weakened Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and nearly halted its oil exports, but the war launched by the U.S. and Israel in February remains unresolved. A June agreement collapsed, low-level fighting continues, and Washington has not demonstrated a clear exit strategy. Iran’s economic pressure has not produced concessions or an uprising, while its Houthi allies have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, helping push Brent crude above $100 a barrel and diesel to a record. U.S. President Donald Trump said gas prices are likely to remain high through the midterm congressional elections. Iran’s exports fell from 1.85 million barrels a day last spring to about 255,000 in August, while non-Iranian flows increased to 10.8 million barrels a day through alternative routes. The effort has cost U.S. taxpayers more than $37.5 billion and resulted in 18 U.S. service members’ deaths. Analysts cited in the report say Iran may escalate through attacks in the strait or regional proxies because the blockade has not produced a political settlement.