Chris Wright, the U.S. energy secretary, said in an interview with Fox News: “The Islamic Republic is trying to hold the world economy hostage and to terrorize its neighbors. But their ability to cause trouble is decreasing. Our ability to escort and transfer shipments from that region is increasing.”

The U.S. energy secretary added: “The Islamic Republic has another card to play, and that card is also getting smaller.” He said Tehran’s strategy will ultimately lead to “the collapse of the government in Iran, at the same time as its economy is being suffocated.”