US Says Ceasefire Holding With Iran, But ‘Economic Pressure’ Continues Through Blockade

Last Updated:April 23, 2026, 02:13 IST

US says military ceasefire with Iran holds while naval blockade continues, claiming Iran loses $500 dollars daily as US seeks leverage in ongoing negotiations.

The White House has said the ceasefire with Iran remains in place on the military front, even as Washington continues to exert economic pressure through its naval blockade.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there has been a pause in direct military and kinetic strikes, but stressed that broader operations targeting Iran’s economy are ongoing.

“There’s a ceasefire with the military and kinetic strikes, but economic pressure continues… we are completely strangling their economy through this blockade," she said, adding that Iran is losing an estimated $500 million per day.

Ceasefire Holds, But Pressure Builds

Leavitt described the current phase as a dual-track approach—maintaining the ceasefire while intensifying economic leverage to push Tehran towards concessions in negotiations.

She said the US is satisfied with the current strategy as it awaits a formal response from Iran, indicating that the blockade will remain a key pressure point.

US Questions Iran’s Public Messaging

The White House also warned against taking Iran’s public statements at face value, suggesting a gap between its rhetoric and private negotiations.

“We all see a lot of different messaging coming out of Iran… what they say publicly is much different than what they concede to the US and our negotiating team privately," Leavitt said.

‘US Maintains Control’

Leavitt further asserted that Washington holds the upper hand in the ongoing standoff, claiming Iran has been weakened both militarily and economically.

“The United States maintains control over the situation… they are losing economically and financially every single moment that passes with this blockade," she said.

News world US Says Ceasefire Holding With Iran, But ‘Economic Pressure’ Continues Through Blockade

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