Israel, US consider land blockade against Iran to increase economic isolation - report

The United States and Israel are reportedly exploring the possibility of implementing a land blockade against Iran as a strategy to enhance its economic isolation. This potential measure, discussed between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is being considered as the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz may have reached its operational limits.

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What if you just blocked the land? Suppose Iran can’t bring anything in and cannot take anything out.

According to a report, the land blockade would necessitate collaboration with Iran's neighboring countries, which include Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The success of such a plan hinges on persuading these nations to impose restrictions on the flow of goods into and out of Iran. However, these neighboring states would likely face retaliation from Iran if they agreed to participate in the blockade.

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We are protecting not only our lives but yours as well, and we’re fighting the battle of civilization against barbarism.

An Israeli official, speaking anonymously to The Telegraph, described the concept by posing a hypothetical: "What if you just blocked the land? Suppose Iran can’t bring anything in and cannot take anything out." The official framed the broader U.S.-Israeli actions against Iran as a fight for civilization, referencing past strikes like "Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion" and stating, "We took out that lump of cancer because if we hadn’t, we’d be dead."

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We took out that lump of cancer because if we hadn’t, we’d be dead, and we didn’t have a choice.

Retired U.S. three-star general Sean MacFarland commented on the potential impact of economic isolation, noting that it could bring the Iranian regime "to their knees." He acknowledged that a land blockade would be "almost impossible" to implement but stressed its significance in cutting off Iran's ability to trade. The report comes as Iran is reportedly seeking to rearm itself following earlier military operations by the U.S. and Israel, including a recent order for Chinese missile systems.

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If you take away Iran’s ability to trade... then you are isolating them economically.