Iran Could Face Significant Gas Shortages This Winter as U.S. Maintains Economic Pressure

Iranians could face significant gas shortages this winter as the U.S. maintains its blockade of the country's ports, with residents facing potential cuts across the country, including Tehran.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said the issue resulted from underlying economic problems and wartime conditions. "The country is not in a 'no war, no peace' situation; it is in a fully wartime situation, "Mohajerani claimed.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Tuesday that the U.S. will continue its economic pressure campaign against the country, which consists of the naval blockade and sanctions, and there is no need to return to combat operations because of its success.

"The economic pain that ​is being inflicted on Iran right now is extraordinary and it ​compounds. It's growing every day," Rubio said, noting that regional allies have confirmed the assessment.

Trump said last week that it will take decades for the Iranian economy to recover from damages sustained in the war, even if it ends now. Speaking to press at the Oval Office, Trump said he believes it will take Iran "25 years to rebuild the country."

The Treasury Department claimed in a recent report that the economic pressure campaign against Iran is achieving its goals.

Citing a department report, Axios noted that Secretary Scott Bessent is calling on Trump to maintain course rather than return to a full-fledged military conflict.

"Bessent is telling the President the economic pressure campaign is working and that things are getting worse in Iran and that this could further destabilize the regime and push the Supreme Leader to agree to a deal," an official told the outlet.

To back up the claim, the report notes that the Iranian currency, the rial, has lost about a quarter of its value since the campaign began in August. Moreover, annual inflation reached 90% last month, compared to 35% in early 2025. As for oil exports, Iran has not managed to load tankers since late August and has already sold what it had at sea.

Trump said on Monday that he had an "excellent" conversation with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani about the course of the war and Gulf countries "would prefer the status quo, in other words, a continuation of the Greatest Naval Blockade in History, and the new Operation Iron Gate — Therefore, Land and Sea."

Trump said, the U.S. remains "locked and loaded" to resume strikes but "at this point, however, that seems to be quite unlikely."

"Israel, and the entire Middle East, are protected from Iranian danger and threats. We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict, and will ensure that America's interests are at all times protected. At the conclusion of this Military Engagement, the American People, and the World, will be far safer and more secure," Trump concluded.