By Solange Reyner | Saturday, 25 April 2026 01:23 PM EDT
Retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward stated on Saturday that mounting pressure on Iran—including reported energy shortages—signals significant impact from U.S.-led efforts to constrain the nation.
Harward cited reports that Iran’s president has urged citizens to conserve energy as evidence of the country’s severe economic and strategic struggles. “Without a doubt,” he said when asked whether the developments indicate the blockade is working, “the statement that they’re in a tough spot would be a gross understatement. They’re broken.”
A former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, Harward noted that the strain is affecting not only Iran’s economy but also its internal political dynamics, particularly the balance between civilian leadership and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). “This is playing out in the negotiations,” he said. “Who can go and really represent the interests of Iran and not the IRGC—so the internal dynamics of Iran are really what’s under the microscope right now.”
Harward added that financial pressure and resource constraints are limiting Iran’s ability to function normally, including maintaining energy supplies. “They’re under pressure, their money is starving off,” he stated. “They’re not going to have energy. They can’t keep the lights up.”
Beyond economic strain, Harward emphasized the military dimension, noting U.S. and Israeli forces prepared to escalate if necessary. “More important than that, you have the vast military arsenal, both U.S. and Israeli, ready to go,” he said.
Harward warned that if Iran does not make concessions in ongoing negotiations, additional measures could be taken. “If they don’t capitulate, they’re going to start exercising additional options to bring this to a conclusion and ensure Iran never has a nuclear weapon,” he added, describing that outcome as the likely “end state.”
He also questioned how long Iran’s leadership, particularly the IRGC, could sustain the current situation without facing internal consequences. “How painful can the IRGC let it go on for the people of Iran and not pay for that?” Harward asked.
