Tom Bowman

The Congressional Research Service came out with a report recently, and it said that 42 fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft were lost so far in Operation Epic Fury, the attack on Iran.

Among those are four F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft and seven KC-135 refueling aircraft and also 24 Reaper drones.

The U.S.

has prevented more than three dozen ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports.

And meanwhile, Iran is harassing shipping entering the Strait of Hormuz and that narrow waterway leading to the Arabian Sea, of course.

So as a result, the flow of oil tankers, other ships has dropped to a trickle.

And that shipping clog has led to higher prices on things like fertilizer, liquefied natural gas and oil.

Don't cry for me Argentina

The U.S.

has prevented more than three dozen ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports.

And meanwhile, Iran is harassing shipping entering the Strait of Hormuz and that narrow waterway leading...

to the Arabian Sea, of course.

So as a result, the flow of oil tankers, other ships has dropped to a trickle.

And that shipping clog has led to higher prices on things like fertilizer, liquefied natural gas and oil.

NPR's Tom Bowman reporting.

It's possible that fighting could start again if Iran starts hitting U.S.

warships or commercial ships trying to transit through the Strait of Hormuz or attacking the energy sector of Gulf allies.

The Iranians have said they have major untouched levers to pull in response to the blockade, but we don't know what that means.

At this point, it's an economic war trying to get Iran back to negotiating table.

It's possible that fighting could start again if Iran starts hitting U.S.