WASHINGTON — President Trump is reviewing options, including renewed strikes on Iran, as negotiating progress stalls.
Trump has doubled down on his 16-day blockade of Iran’s oil exports — after rejecting an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping and set aside nuclear talks for later.
“The blockade is genius, okay? The blockade has been 100% foolproof,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday.
“Now, they have to cry uncle, that’s all they have to do,” Trump said of his time frame. “Just say, ‘We give up.’”
The US and Iran have had a cease-fire since April 8, and Trump has repeatedly threatened renewed military action without a breakthrough.
The military’s Central Command has drafted plans for “short and powerful” strikes to break through the negotiating deadlock, Axios reported Wednesday, citing three sources.
The president told the publication that for now, the blockade is “somewhat more effective than the bombing.”
The hypothetical strikes could make good on Trump’s longstanding threat to target Iran’s electricity plants and bridges.
It’s unclear when such an attack could happen. Trump has repeatedly floated the possibility of strikes to gain negotiating leverage.
Trump said his team — led by Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner– would no longer be traveling 18 hours to Pakistan for in-person talks with Iran. Rather, negotiations would take place “telephonically.”
“So at this moment, there will never be a deal unless they agree that there will be no nuclear weapons,” Trump said.
The renewed consideration comes as global oil prices continue to rise, with Brent crude trading near $120 per barrel on Wednesday, up from around $70 before the war started Feb. 28.
Trump posted a meme of himself holding a gun with explosions in the background Wednesday with the title “No More Mr. Nice Guy!”
“Iran can’t get their act together,” Trump captioned the image. “They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!
