Naval Blockade Option Against Iran

Trump shared a report on his social media platform, Truth Social, highlighting a potential “winning option” in case the Islamic Republic refuses to comply: a naval blockade.

The report explains that before attempting a bold move against Nicolás Maduro, Trump had already weakened Venezuela’s economy through a naval blockade—an doing that effectively choked off the country’s oil revenues.

Accordingly, if the Islamic Republic rejects the final agreement proposed by the United States, Trump could—as he has previously threatened—apply severe pressure or reintroduce the naval blockade strategy to further strain Iran’s already fragile economy. Such a move could also increase diplomatic pressure on countries like China and India by restricting oil flows.

It is also noted that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the massive aircraft carrier that played a leading role in the Venezuela blockade, is now deployed in the Persian Gulf after a short period of maintenance and crew recovery. It has joined the USS Abraham Lincoln and other key naval assets in the region.

Experts believe that under such a scenario, the United States could effectively neutralize the Islamic Republic’s control over the Strait of Hormuz through a stronger blockade. Trump has also indicated that the implementation of such a plan is being considered, emphasizing that it would be relatively easy for the U.S. Navy to control what enters and exits the strait.

Rebecca Grant, a national security expert, stated that around 10 vessels have moved through the area in the past 24 hours, including a Russian tanker operating under a changed flag, with shipments heading toward China and India. She added that in the event of escalation, the U.S. Navy could fully monitor maritime traffic, effectively requiring authorization for passage through critical points.

Meanwhile, following intensive negotiations, Vice President J.D. Vance left Pakistan without reaching an agreement with the Islamic Republic, announcing that the United States had presented its “final and best offer” to Tehran. He noted that discussions lasted 21 hours and that the decision now rests with Iran.

Vance emphasized that this proposal represents a final framework, but there has still been no indication that Iran is willing to meet Trump’s primary demand—abandoning its nuclear weapons development program.

As the temporary ceasefire deadline approaches, the Trump administration has prepared several options in case Iran rejects the proposal, with a naval blockade being one of the most significant.

This idea was first raised last week by retired General Jack Keane, a prominent U.S. military strategist. He suggested that if conflict resumes and Iran’s remaining military capabilities are sufficiently weakened, the U.S. could target Kharg Island or impose a naval blockade to cut off Tehran’s vital oil export routes.

According to him, maintaining the infrastructure while taking physical control of the area would give the United States complete leverage over Iran’s oil and economy—an ultimate pressure tool that could be used to achieve strategic goals, including gaining control over enriched uranium stockpiles and dismantling nuclear facilities.