US President Donald Trump has declared that he will maintain the naval blockade of Iran until the Iranian government agrees to a deal addressing US concerns regarding its nuclear program. Trump asserted that Iran is eager to reach an agreement because it wants the blockade lifted. He claimed that the ongoing naval siege has prevented Iran from exporting oil, leading to a situation where its oil reserves and pipelines are reportedly on the verge of explosion.
Rejection of the Iranian Proposal
In an interview with Axios, President Trump confirmed that he has rejected a proposal from Iran that suggested opening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the blockade first, while deferring nuclear negotiations to a later stage. Trump emphasized that the naval blockade will persist until Iran agrees to engage in discussions that resolve the nuclear issues raised by the United States. He reiterated that the blockade remains his primary source of benefit from in the current standoff and that he won't back down until a comprehensive agreement is reached.
Blockade Deemed More Effective Than Bombing
Trump described the naval blockade as being "somewhat more effective than bombing" and stated that the situation for Iran is set to worsen. Speaking to Axios, he maintained that Iran can't be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. This statement follows the President's recent posting of an AI-generated meme featuring himself holding a gun. While sources indicate that no military action had been ordered as of Tuesday night, Trump suggested that military intervention remains an option if Iran refuses to yield to US demands and continues its current course.
CENTCOM Strike Plans and Military Strategy
On Wednesday, Trump declined to discuss specific military plans. However, reports citing three sources indicate that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has developed a series of plans for powerful strikes against Iran to break the diplomatic deadlock. These plans reportedly target Iranian infrastructure to pressure Tehran into returning to the negotiating table with increased flexibility. Despite these preparations, some analysts remain skeptical about whether Iran faces an immediate existential threat from the current blockade, even as the US ramps up its military readiness in the region.
Iran Warns of Unprecedented Response
In response to the US stance, a senior Iranian security source stated that the naval blockade would soon meet a "practical and unprecedented" reaction. The source noted that while Iran's armed forces have shown restraint to allow diplomacy a chance and provide Trump an opportunity to end the conflict, there is a limit to their patience, while On top of that, Iranian Parliament Speaker MB Ghalibaf confirmed in an audio message that Iran is prepared to foil the "deceptive plans" of its adversaries, signaling that a harsh response is necessary if the blockade continues.