U.S. President Donald Trump declared he would keep the maritime blockade against Iran in place indefinitely until concerns about Iran's nuclear program are fully resolved.
Iran initially proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the maritime blockade first, then proceeding with nuclear weapons talks. But the United States appears to have decided to tighten the leash until Iran agrees to completely abandon its nuclear program, judging that controlling the seas to block oil exports is somewhat more effective than airstrikes.
On the 29th (local time), Trump said in a phone interview with the U.S. political outlet Axios that he would continue the maritime blockade until the Iranian regime agrees to a deal to give up nuclear weapons. "The blockade is somewhat more effective than bombing," Trump said, warning, "They are now suffocating like a pig unable to breathe, and the situation will get worse." He added, "Iran wants a deal and wants me to lift the blockade, but I will keep it because I do not want them to have nuclear weapons."
The United States says it will only come to the negotiating table if Iran makes a clear pledge to abandon its nuclear program, including dismantling its uranium enrichment facilities. Oil exports are the central pillar of Iran's economy. With the U.S.-led maritime blockade dragging on, Iran's economy has been pushed to the brink. Even if oil is extracted, if it cannot be sold immediately, it must be stored in reserve facilities, and with exports blocked, Iran's domestic storage capacity has reached its limit.
In the interview, Trump claimed that "Iran's refineries and pipelines are at their limits, near the point of exploding." On the day, Iran's currency plunged to 1.8 million rials per dollar, hitting a record low. Axios reported that U.S. Central Command has even finalized plans for strong, short strikes targeting infrastructure in case Iran does not yield despite economic pressure. If economic pressure does not work, the strategy is to bring the Iranian regime to the negotiating table through military action.
Cornered, Iran pushed back hard and hinted at the possibility of armed clashes. A senior Iranian security official told the state-run Press TV that "the U.S. Navy's blockade measures will soon face unprecedented and practical action." The official warned, "Thus far, Iran's military has shown patience to provide a diplomatic opportunity, but if the blockade continues, a punitive response will be necessary."