Summary
- President Donald Trump said he will keep the maritime blockade on Iran in place and continue using it to pressure Tehran in nuclear negotiations.
- Trump said the blockade is more effective than bombing and is being used to pressure Iran's economy, adding that the country's oil exports are being constrained.
- Iran signaled it could mount an unprecedented and tangible response if the U.S. maritime blockade remains in place.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
President Donald Trump said he will keep a maritime blockade on Iran in place to maintain pressure in nuclear negotiations.
In a phone interview with Axios on April 29, Trump said the blockade would remain until Iran accepts U.S. demands tied to its nuclear program. The remarks rejected Tehran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz first and defer nuclear talks until later.
Trump views the blockade as more effective than military strikes. Calling it "more effective than bombing," he indicated that it is being used to squeeze Iran's economy.
He added that Iran wants a deal, but the blockade will not be lifted unless Tehran agrees to give up nuclear weapons. Trump also said the pressure is mounting as the blockade restricts Iran's oil exports.
Iran, meanwhile, has signaled it could respond if the blockade continues. Iranian state media previously cited a military official as saying a U.S. maritime blockade would face an unprecedented and tangible response.
Suehyeon Lee
shlee@bloomingbit.ioI'm reporter Suehyeon Lee, your Web3 Moderator.
