Here is a translated report from Trump, who spoke in an interview with Israel’s N12:
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke today (Wednesday) with News 12 and stated: “I will not lift the naval blockade on Iran without reaching a deal regarding the nuclear program.”
“The naval blockade is, in some ways, more effective than bombings,” the U.S. President said of the measure. “The Iranians are choking—like a fattened pig. And it’s going to get worse for them. They cannot possess nuclear weapons.” The President claimed that “the Iranians want a settlement. They don’t want me to continue the blockade.”
Trump expanded on the effectiveness of the naval blockade, saying that “Iran’s oil reserves and pipelines are about to explode soon because they cannot export oil due to the blockade.”
At the same time, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth commented on the situation in Iran, stating that “other administrations made deals in cash,” hinting at the Obama administration. Regarding the Iranian nuclear program, he added: “We need to look people like Iran in the eye. We know where all their weapons are located. They have not given up on their ambitions.”
A separate N12 report says the US has prepared plan for short and powerful strikes against Iran. After the strikes, US would call on Iran to return to the negotiating table.
I don’t really get the argument that Iran is going to shut off its pipes and permanently damage its reservoirs. If it comes to that, I’d imagine they’ll pump their oil right into the desert before they risk wrecking the underground geology. Maybe there’s some reason they can’t do that but I find it all a bit of a struggle that’s the US plan.
Moreover, Iran has the world’s second-largest oil reserves, they can rebuild. WTI is up $5.80 to $105.72 today, so I wouldn’t say the market is exactly endorsing the strategy.
