The U.S. Fifth Fleet and rotating carrier strike groups provide the credible threat of force that anchors regional deterrence. Forward presence signals commitment to Gulf partners and raises the cost of Iranian escalation across the Strait of Hormuz and the broader Gulf.
COST: $4B+ / year estimated
Economic Track
Maximum pressure sanctions — including secondary designations that penalize non-U.S. entities — aim to deny Iran revenue and force a nuclear negotiation. Over 1,500 entities have been designated since the 2018 JCPOA exit, with Iranian oil exports crushed from 2.5 mn bpd to under 400,000 bpd at the 2019 peak.