Iranian official claims blockade ineffective

Mohammad Marandi, a senior advisor and media figure for the Iranian government, has publicly claimed that the ongoing U.S. maritime blockade against Iran is ineffective. He stated that, by all accounts, Iran continues to export and import goods as usual despite the siege. The remarks appear to be a direct rebuttal to U.S. efforts to enforce economic pressure through naval interdiction in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. This public dismissal of the blockade's impact suggests Tehran is attempting to project resilience and normalcy amid the tense standoff.