Edward Fishman: Iran ‘Turned the Tables’ Using Oil Power

April 12, 2026

As President Trump threatens to use the U.S. Navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, the centrality of the strait to the war in Iran reveals its importance as a “chokepoint” for the global economy. Edward Fishman, author of “Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare,” tells Ali Velshi that “Iran learned from the experience of being under financial sanctions for decades” how to use its leverage to “impose devastating economic pain on the United States.” In upending the global oil market, Iran has “totally turned the tables on us,” Fishman says.

Edward Fishman is one of the world’s foremost experts on economic statecraft, with deep experience shaping U.S. foreign policy. His New York Times–bestselling book Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare is widely regarded as definitive and essential to understand how sanctions, tariffs, and export controls are reshaping the world. A Columbia University scholar, he brings sharp, timely insights into how economic warfare is transforming geopolitics and the business landscape. His ability to translate complex global dynamics into compelling narratives makes him a standout keynote speaker for any audience. Contact us today to learn more.

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