It has been reported that U.S. President Donald Trump considers both restarting operations against Iran and withdrawing from the conflict to be riskier options.
According to a report in the U.S. press citing officials in Washington, President Donald Trump has instructed his advisors to prepare for a long-term blockade against Iran.
The report states: “Trump has decided to block ships from entering and leaving Iranian ports in order to continue applying pressure on Iran’s economy and oil exports.”
Officials indicated that the U.S. leader views restarting airstrikes or withdrawing from the conflict as riskier options than maintaining the blockade.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement to the press that the blockade provides Washington with an opportunity to exert “maximum pressure” on the Iranian government. Kelly added that the President will make a decision that ensures U.S. national security.
Last week, Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire with Tehran until negotiations are concluded. On Monday, it was reported that Iran, through intermediaries, presented the U.S. with a three-stage framework to continue dialogue. According to the proposal, the first phase of negotiations should focus on ending the war and securing guarantees to refrain from military actions against Iran and Lebanon.
Earlier reports based on U.S. sources indicated that Iran had conveyed, through Pakistani intermediaries, a proposal that included reopening the Strait of Hormuz, fully resolving the conflict, and postponing nuclear negotiations to a later date.
According to The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. sources, Trump and his team are skeptical of the idea of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and delaying nuclear talks. The report adds that Washington may present counterproposals in the coming days.