As a result of U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran, the U.S. is now a sort of energy monopolist. Almost anyone who wants oil has to buy from the U.S. or get it through shipping channels controlled by the U.S. Oil exports have thus increased by something like 1 million barrels per day and are likely to rise quickly. I don't see lower exports coming anytime soon; this is going to be permanent to some extent.

Iran is majorly screwed. It's about to run out of storage capacity. IRGC leaders are transferring assets and making exile plans. And for practical purposes, for the foreseeable future, the U.S. will control Iran's oil, like it does Venezuela's, as well as control shipping in that area. That results in China and Europe (and others) facing a U.S. that has much more leverage than before.

If all of this smacks of piracy or mafia-like tactics, I won't argue with you. But that's reality; the media is getting the whole Iran thing very wrong. It will be interesting to see who cozies up to Russia.