Donald Trump has said he will not lift the US naval blockade of Iran’s ports until a deal is reached with Iran over its nuclear programme, extending a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz that has triggered a global energy crisis.
Speaking to Axios, Trump said the blockade was proving more effective than military strikes. “The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. They are choking like a stuffed pig. And it is going to be worse for them. They can’t have a nuclear weapon,” he said in a phone interview on Wednesday.
He added that Iran is seeking a deal to end the blockade but maintained that continuing the pressure is key leverage. “They want to settle. They don’t want me to keep the blockade. I don’t want to [lift the blockade], because I don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
The US president also claimed that Iran’s oil infrastructure is under severe strain. According to the report, he said the country’s oil storage facilities and pipelines “are getting close to exploding” as exports have been halted due to the blockade.
The report said United States Central Command has prepared a plan for a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran if the diplomatic stalemate continues, targeting infrastructure to push Tehran back to negotiations. However, Trump has not ordered military action and declined to discuss such plans.
Meanwhile, Iran issued a warning in response. A senior Iranian security source, quoted by Press TV, said the US naval blockade “will soon be met with practical and unprecedented action.” The source added that Iran had shown restraint to allow diplomacy but cautioned that “patience has limits” if the blockade continues.
Donald Trump also said he had rejected a recent Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which would have delayed nuclear talks.
The blockade remains central to the ongoing impasse, with Iran insisting it will not resume negotiations or reopen the strait while naval restrictions remain in place. Trump, on the other hand, has said he will not halt the operation until Iran agrees to a peace deal to end the conflict that began over two months ago.
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut for two months and no immediate resolution in sight, oil prices have surged.
*With Agency Inputs