Former US counter-terrorism chief Joe Kent has warned that Washington’s naval blockade of Iranian ports is affecting the American public more than Iran.

“The blockade will not force Iran to abandon uranium enrichment, ballistic missiles, or its proxy networks,” he says on X. “Instead, the blockade is hurting the American people and creating serious domestic pressure on [US President Donald Trump].

He warns that soaring fuel prices will affect the working class, jeopardising Republican majorities in November’s midterm elections. Moreover, he adds that deploying three carrier strike groups in the region to enforce the blockade is “unsustainable”.

“The global fallout only increases the pressure on us, not Iran,” Kent states.