US and Israel are considering land blockade of Iran, The Telegraph reports
Photo: US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are considering stepping up economic pressure on Iran. Several scenarios involving a land blockade are reportedly under discussion, according to The Telegraph.
US and Israel could move to seal off Iran's borders
According to the newspaper's sources, during a meeting in the Oval Office on July 28, Trump and Netanyahu discussed both "kinetic and non-kinetic" options.
One scenario under consideration would see the US and Israel persuade Iran's neighbors and regional partners to tighten controls at border crossings or even shut them down altogether. Such a move would significantly restrict the country's imports and exports.
A senior Israeli official suggested that completely sealing Iran's land borders and preventing the country from importing or exporting goods could dramatically increase pressure on Tehran.
According to the report, any blockade would likely focus on the strategically important Incheh Borun and Sarakhs border crossings between Iran and Turkmenistan.
However, implementing such a plan would require cooperation from:
- Iraq
- Turkey
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Turkmenistan
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
Participation in a blockade could carry economic costs for those countries and increase the risk of retaliatory action by Iran.
What a blockade could achieve
A blockade of ports or key border crossings could also limit Iran's ability to rearm.
According to media reports, Tehran is expecting deliveries of hundreds of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) from Beijing. Ships carrying Chinese cargo are reportedly arriving at the southern Iranian ports of Bandar Abbas and Chabahar.
The Telegraph writes that Trump believes his current strategy of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open has reached a dead end.
According to an Israeli official, Trump and Netanyahu also discussed three possible paths forward:
- Reaching a deal with Iran,
- Continuing a naval blockade,
- Resuming military strikes.
Netanyahu reportedly did not express a preference for any of the options. Trump, meanwhile, is considering various ways to increase pressure that could force Iran back to the negotiating table, the source said.
A White House official said that the commander-in-chief had all options at his disposal.
On July 29, the United States imposed economic sanctions on two Iranian companies and eight oil tankers.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Iran had reached an agreement with China to receive up to 400 MANPADS to strengthen its air defenses amid tensions with the United States.
