US President Donald Trump has said the United States will maintain its naval blockade of Iran until Tehran agrees to a deal that addresses Washington’s concerns over its nuclear program, signaling a tough stance despite consideration of military options.Speaking to Axios, Trump indicated that a blockade is currently his preferred tool of pressure, describing it as more effective than direct military action. He said, “A blockade is somewhat more effective than bombing. They’re suffocating like stuffed pigs. And it’s going to be even worse for them. They can’t have nuclear weapons.”The US stance comes amid Iran’s earlier proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the blockade, while postponing nuclear talks to a later stage, which Trump has rejected. He said Tehran wanted relief from the blockade but said it would not be lifted without concrete guarantees over its nuclear program.Meanwhile, the United States Central Command has already drawn up plans for a “small and powerful” wave of attacks targeting Iranian infrastructure, according to Axios sources familiar with the matter. The attacks are aimed at breaking the current negotiation deadlock and bringing Iran back to the table under greater pressure. However, as of Tuesday night, Trump had not authorized any kinetic action.For now, the administration sees the blockade as its primary leverage, although officials have indicated that military action is an option if negotiations fail to make headway. Trump declined to discuss operational details, but suggested the pressure campaign was already taking a toll, claiming Iran’s oil infrastructure was under strain due to its inability to export.However, Iran has strongly protested against the ongoing US blockade of Hormuz. A senior Iranian security source told state media that the US naval blockade “will soon be met with practical and unprecedented action”, warning that the restraint shown so far may not continue if pressure continues.
