Trump to "Axios": The naval blockade is more effective than bombing... and it will not be lifted until Iran complies with a comprehensive nuclear agreement
The oil weapon: Tehran seeks a way out of the "stranglehold" of the blockade
Trump revealed that the Iranians are striving to reach a settlement and want the blockade lifted due to their complete inability to export oil, which has led to unprecedented economic paralysis. He added firmly: "The Iranians want me to lift the blockade, but I don't want that now, and I will never allow them to have a nuclear weapon," considering that the current situation will continue to deteriorate for Tehran unless it complies with U.S. conditions by 2026.
Blockade first... military action is a "considered option"
"Axios" reported from informed sources that Trump views the naval blockade as the primary and only source of pressure currently to force the Iranian regime to sit at the negotiating table from a position of weakness. However, Trump warned that the option of force is not excluded, indicating that he "will consider military action" if Iran does not respond to international demands, despite his current preference for a policy of "economic strangulation" via the seas.
Washington's message: No deal without complete nuclear concessions
Trump's statements today come to cut off any Iranian hopes for easing sanctions without making substantial concessions on arms issues. Analysts believe that Trump's description of the blockade as "more effective than bombing" reflects his doctrine of "avoiding costly conventional wars" while achieving devastating results for the adversary's economy, placing the new Iranian leadership in front of two options: either complete economic collapse under the weight of halted oil exports, or acceptance of the harsh U.S. conditions for a new nuclear agreement.
