US ने Iran के साथ अनिश्चितकालीन युद्धविराम का विस्तार किया, Strait of Hormuz पर नाकाबंदी बरकरार रखी – रणनीतिक, आर्थिक एवं UPSC प्रभाव

<h3>Overview</h3> <p>The United States has announced an <span class="key-term" data-definition="Indefinite ceasefire — a suspension of hostilities without a fixed end date; in UPSC studies it illustrates conflict management and diplomatic negotiation (GS2: Polity)">indefinite ceasefire</span> with Iran, while maintaining a naval blockade of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman; it carries about one‑fifth of global oil supplies, making it a strategic chokepoint in international relations (GS2: Polity, GS3: Economy)">Strait of Hormuz</span>. The move comes amid dwindling U.S. munitions, pressure on domestic energy prices, and parallel ceasefire extensions between Israel and Lebanon.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Ceasefire extension</strong>: The U.S. extended the Iran truce indefinitely; a three‑week ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was also prolonged.</li> <li><strong>Blockade policy</strong>: President <strong>Donald Trump</strong> ordered the Navy to interdict vessels near Iran’s Larak Island and to “shoot and kill” boats laying mines, signalling a hard‑line stance until a nuclear deal is reached.</li> <li><strong>Diplomatic missions</strong>: U.S. envoys including <strong>Steve Witkoff</strong> and <strong>Jared Kushner</strong> headed to Islamabad, while Iran’s Foreign Minister <strong>Abbas Araghchi</strong> arrived in Pakistan, refusing direct talks with the U.S. team.</li> <li><strong>War Powers Act deadline</strong>: The President can continue operations only until <strong>May 1, 2026</strong>, after which congressional approval is required under the <span class="key-term" data-definition="War Powers Act — U.S. legislation that limits the President’s ability to engage armed forces without congressional consent; relevant for understanding executive‑legislative balance (GS2: Polity)">War Powers Act</span>.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts on Munitions & Costs</h3> <ul> <li>Approximately <strong>1,100</strong> <span class="key-term" data-definition="JASSM‑ER — Joint Air‑to‑Surface Standoff Missile‑Extended Range, a precision cruise missile with ~600 mi range; its usage reflects modern warfare technology (GS3: Economy)">JASSM‑ER</span> missiles have been fired, leaving ~1,500 in inventory.</li> <li>About <strong>1,200</strong> <span class="key-term" data-definition="Patriot missile — a surface‑to‑air missile system for air defence; high cost underscores defence procurement challenges (GS3: Economy)">Patriot</span> interceptors have been expended; only 600 were produced in 2025.</li> <li>Roughly <strong>1,000</strong> <span class="key-term" data-definition="Tomahawk cruise missile — long‑range, subsonic cruise missile used for precision strikes; a key asset in U.S. power projection (GS3: Economy)">Tomahawk</span> missiles were launched, with 3,000 remaining in storage.</li> <li>Additional losses include ~1,000 ground‑based <span class="