US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the ongoing US naval blockade against Iran could further weaken the Iranian economy, claiming that the United States has helped facilitate the shipment of 130 million barrels of oil from the Gulf over the past 14 days.

Bessent said the blockade of Iranian ports is directly affecting the country’s maritime trade. He warned that storage capacity on Kharg Island, a key hub for Iran’s oil exports, could soon reach its limit, potentially forcing Iran to shut down some of its oil wells.

According to the US Treasury Secretary, the naval blockade will significantly reduce Iran’s own oil exports. However, he said global oil shipments have continued under US naval surveillance and security measures.

Bessent claimed that US naval forces had helped ensure the safe transit of 130 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz to international markets, with the aim of maintaining stability in global energy markets.

Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department has expanded its economic pressure on Iran by broadening the scope of secondary sanctions. The new measures threaten foreign companies and countries with penalties if they maintain business ties with Tehran.

The US measures target entities involved in several sectors, including digital assets, gold, aviation and shipping. Washington says the objective is to restrict key sources of revenue for Iran and increase pressure on its economy.