Trump rejected Iran's proposal to first open the Strait of Hormuz, with the U.S. then lifting its maritime blockade and deferring nuclear talks to a later stage, stating that the blockade would continue until Iran agrees to address U.S. nuclear concerns. He claimed the blockade is "more effective than bombing" and remains the primary lever for pressure on Iran currently, asserting that Iran faces increasing pressure due to its inability to export oil. However, some analysts question whether Iran’s oil reserves and pipelines are truly nearing the allegedly dangerous saturation point it claims. Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command is reportedly preparing a plan for a "swift and forceful" strike against Iran to break the deadlock in negotiations, potentially targeting infrastructure; however, as of Tuesday night, Trump had not yet ordered any military action. The U.S. aims to compel Iran back to the negotiating table and extract further concessions after such strikes. In response, Iran has warned through its official English-language media that the U.S. maritime blockade will soon face "practical and unprecedented actions," noting that Iran’s military had previously maintained restraint to leave room for diplomacy, but that its patience is limited and retaliation may follow if the blockade continues.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863867336547402/
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