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2026-07-16 14:44:11
[Former Defense Secretary Warns Airstrikes Won't Defeat Iran, Pushes for Economic Blockade] (1) Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that simply relying on air strikes cannot win a war against Iran; a comprehensive economic blockade is necessary to pressure Iran into opening the Strait of Hormuz. (2) Despite the US launching multiple strikes against Iran again on Wednesday and Trump saying that airstrikes would be intensified in the coming weeks, Esper believes that even if large-scale bombing resumes and continues, it will be difficult to bring about substantial change. (3) Esper pointed out that there are only two ways to pressure Iran—a full-scale military offensive or economic containment; economic blockade requires long-term resolve, international cooperation, and sustained policy implementation, and in the short term, the US will pay the price of rising domestic gasoline prices.
