The ongoing blockade of Iran: Time is ticking
The US blockade is delineated from Ras al Hadd, Oman, the point at the interface of the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, across to the Iran-Pakistan border [1]. Crude oil is Iran’s most valuable export [2]. Iran’s storage for crude oil, based on domestic rate of production, is limited to about a month of accumulation before reaching capacity, at which point Iranian oil wells would have to be shut in [3]. Shutting in an oil well risks “water coning”, in which water intrudes into the reservoir, permanently trapping oil within rock pores and making it irrecoverable [4]. As time is ticking, the Israeli Defense Minister suggested that Israel may take military action against Iran independently of the United States on the basis of existential threats [5].
Blockade Crossings
Since the start of the U.S. blockade, a few dry bulk cargo ships have crossed the blockade line. This includes two dry bulk cargo ships, the Locarno and the Ponente, departing the Iranian port at Chabahar and destined for Brazil [6]. Likely carrying urea fertilizer, as Brazil imports bulk quantities of it from Iran [7], they may have been given permission to cross the blockade. ran produces an abundance of natural gas, a portion of which is used to produce ammonia [8], which in turn is used to produce urea [9]. The disruption of fertilizer supply is a noted concern for halted shipping in the situation with Iran [10]. On April 26, the dry bulk cargo ship Ascanio, which left the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, crossed the blockade line [11]. The Ascanio reportedly had delivered commodity food to Iran [12]. Dry bulk shipments in or out of the Straight of Hormuz are typically either for commodity food or fertilizers [13].
Above the Law
The war began on February 28 and congressional approval to continue the war is required by US law within 60 days [14]. Indeed, blockading is an act or war [15], and as such congressional approval would be required by end of day May 1. Daniel 11:36 speaks of a ruler who will do as he pleases. In context this is speaking of a king during the intertestamental period who was a prototype of antichrist. In many ways this behavior is characteristic of the President of the United States, especially in this case where US law is overridden. The motive for pointing this out is not political, but to show the inconsistency of an administration which is emphatically claimed to be conservative.
Warning about the “Golden Age”
In his book The Art of the Deal, the man who is now President of the United States wrote “the dollar always talks in the end”. This is stated in the context of criticizing presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagen and the importance to “deliver the goods” to the people. These personal thoughts give insight to his ambition and desired outcome. Biblically speaking, the “golden-age” is an illusion because of “the deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:19). Riches are conducive to pride, as with King Solomon, who although the wisest man, still suffered from pride because of his riches. Interestingly, Solomon’s gold is associated with the number 666 in 2 Chronicles 9:13.
Resources
[1] Wells, K., P. Hempel, C. Moorman, B. Rezaei, B. Schmida, A. Fattah, N. Morrison, K. Campa, R. Reddy, and B. Carter. Iran Update Special Report, April 16, 2026. Institute for the Study of War.
[2] Moorman, C., B. Schmida, A. Fattah, W. Doran, N. Morrison, K. Campa, A. Ganzeveld. Iran Update Special Report, April 27, 2026. Institute for the Study of War.
[3] Paton, C. 2026, April 23. Analysis: Iran Economy looks set to withstand US naval blockade, analysts say. The Times of Israel.
[4] Maleki, M. 2026, April 13. Insight: What the US naval blockade would mean for Iran’s economy. Iran International.
[5] Fabian, E. 2026, April 30. Live Update: Katz warns Israel may act ‘soon’ to eliminate ‘existential threats’ by Iran. The Times of Israel.
[6] Tobin, Y., J. Brody, S. Havdala, and R. Gabber. Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion: 4/23/26 Update. The Jewish Institute for National Security of America.
[7] 2023. Argus Brazil Grains and Fertilizer, Issue 23-1. Argus Media Group.
[8] March/April 2018. Nitrogen+Syngas 352:26-29. BC Insight.
[9] Pellegrino, J. L. 2000. Energy and Environmental Profile of the Chemicals Industry.
[10] Ratner, M., P. Brown, L. W. Rosen, and C. Thomas. 2026, March 11. Iran Conflict and the Strait of Hormuz: Impacts on Oil, Gas, and Other Commodities. U.S. Congressional Research Service.
[11] Tobin, Y., J. Brody, S. Havdala, and R. Gabber. Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion: 4/25/26 – 4/26/26 Update. The Jewish Institute for National Security of America.
[12] Soon, W. 2026, April 23. Hormuz Stalls after Iran Made First Ship Seizures. Bloomberg.
[13] Frittelli, J. and B. Goldman. 2026, April 10. The Strait of Hormuz in Brief: Non-Oil Shipments and Effects on U.S. Shippers. Congressional Research Service.
[14] Zengerle, P. 2026, April 30. Analysis: Deadline approaches for Trump to secure Congressional approval for Iran War. The Times of Israel.
[15] Whiteman, M. M. 1968. Digest of International Law, Volume 10. US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.
Josh Bowditch is an aspirer of stewardship in the Biblical sense. This includes ascertaining the truth and writing concisely about topics of interest.
You might also like to read this:
