Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump discussed the possibility of imposing a land blockade on Iran as part of a broader effort to increase economic pressure on the Islamic Republic after months of military operations have not brought about the collapse of the regime, the Telegraph reported.
According to the report, the proposal was among the options raised during the leaders’ Oval Office meeting earlier this week. The discussions reportedly focused on intensifying pressure against Tehran “through kinetic and non-kinetic means.”
The proposal would require the United States and Israel to persuade Iran’s neighbors and regional partners to tighten or close border crossings, limiting the movement of imports and exports into and out of the country.
“What if you just blocked the land? Suppose Iran can’t bring anything in and cannot take anything out. Anything will happen,” a senior Israeli official told the Telegraph in describing one of the options discussed by the two governments.
Analysts have identified several obstacles to implementing such a plan, including the difficulty of securing cooperation from countries that border Iran.
The Islamic Republic shares frontiers with Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan, meaning any effort would require support from governments that include states not considered allies of either Israel or the United States.
The report said Washington could view Pakistan and Iraq, neither regarded as a close U.S. ally in the region, as potential weak links in any coordinated effort.
Countries agreeing to participate would also face significant economic costs as well as the possibility of retaliatory action by Iran.
Some experts, however, said that if a land blockade could be implemented, it could restrict the flow of supplies into Iran and further weaken the regime. They also said blocking key ports or major land crossings could limit Tehran’s ability to replenish its military capabilities.
Iran is expecting a shipment of hundreds of Chinese rocket launchers from Beijing under a new agreement intended to strengthen military ties between the two countries.
The Telegraph said a land blockade would align with Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy, which seeks to cripple Iran’s economy and was launched with a naval blockade.
Report: US, Israel weigh land blockade to tighten pressure on Iran
The United States and Israel are considering a plan to tighten Iran’s land borders as part of a broader campaign to increase pressure on Tehran, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday.
The proposal was among several options discussed by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during talks at the White House on Tuesday, according to the report.
The plan would require Washington and Jerusalem to persuade Iran’s seven land neighbours to restrict border traffic, limiting imports, exports and potentially weapons shipments. Iran borders Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
A senior Israeli official told The Telegraph that sealing Iran’s land routes could deepen its economic isolation, although analysts said enforcing such a blockade would be extremely difficult, particularly through countries with close ties to Tehran.
The discussions come as Trump considers further steps to force Iran back into negotiations after strikes and a naval blockade failed to secure a breakthrough. Other options reportedly include maintaining the maritime campaign, resuming airstrikes or pursuing an agreement.
