USA and Israel discuss imposing a land blockade on Iran
According to a report in the British newspaper The Telegraph, the two sides discussed the issue during a meeting at the White House this week. The United States and Israel aim to convince regional partners to tighten or close border crossings to increase economic pressure on Iran. The goal is to "bring the regime to its knees," though experts highlight implementation challenges and the possibility of a deception campaign.
The United States and Israel are discussing the possibility of imposing a land blockade on Iran, the British newspaper The Telegraph reported. According to the report, this is one of several options being considered by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to increase economic pressure on the Iranian regime after months of attacks and a prolonged campaign failed to change its conduct.
During their meeting at the White House on Tuesday, Trump and Netanyahu discussed increasing economic pressure on Iran through kinetic and non-kinetic means. The plan involves convincing Iran's neighbors and regional partners to tighten or close border crossings to limit the flow of the country's imports and exports.
"What if you just block the land?"
A senior Israeli official told The Telegraph that one of the options discussed is a total blockade of Iran's land borders. "What if you just block the land? Suppose Iran cannot bring anything in and cannot take anything out. Everything will happen," the official said.
Retired US Lieutenant General Sean MacFarland stated that while a land blockade would be practically impossible, denying Iran the ability to trade would isolate it economically and serve as a way to "bring it to its knees." He emphasized that such an economic approach would need to include military components. Given that Iran shares borders with Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, full implementation would require extensive international cooperation.
Risks and strategic goals
Washington may view Pakistan and Iraq as weak points, but any country agreeing to cooperate could face economic consequences and threats of retaliation from the Islamic Republic. Blocking ports and key crossings is also intended to undermine Iran's rearmament, including the delivery of rocket launchers from China under a $70 million contract.
A source familiar with the discussions indicated that President Trump believes his current strategy regarding the Strait of Hormuz has run its course and is examining escalation options to bring Iran back to the negotiating table. There is also a possibility that the plan was leaked intentionally as a deception to divert attention from other planned moves.
Intelligence assessments point to disputes within the Iranian leadership between those fearing economic collapse and those favoring continued confrontation. The Israeli official added that severe fuel shortages are already occurring in Iran, with long queues forming at gas stations.
