The United States and Israel are discussing a possible land blockade of Iran as they seek to increase economic pressure on the regime after months of strikes failed to bring it to heel, The Telegraph reported.
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The proposal is one of several options being explored by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is understood that the two leaders discussed increasing economic pressure on Iran "through kinetic and non-kinetic means" when they met in the Oval Office on Tuesday, according to The Telegraph.
The plan would require the US and Israel to press Iran's neighbours and regional partners to tighten or close border crossings, restricting the flow of exports and imports.
"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.
Challenges of a land blockade
Sean MacFarland, a retired three-star lieutenant general, said a land blockade would be "almost impossible" but added: "If you take away Iran's ability to trade... then you are isolating them economically. That's the way to bring them to their knees."
Iran borders Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan, meaning the US and Israel would need cooperation from countries they are not allied with. Washington may view Pakistan and Iraq as weak links, The Telegraph reported.
A land blockade could target key border crossings such as Incheh Borun and Sarakhs-Sarahs, which connect Iran and Turkmenistan.
Trump looking for new options
Trump believes he has reached the end of the road with his current strategy to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a source familiar with the discussions told The Telegraph. The president is therefore looking at various options for escalation that could force Iran back to the negotiating table.
There is also a chance the plan was floated as a red herring to distract Tehran from the actual next step, the report said.
On Wednesday evening, the US carried out a "heavy wave of strikes" against Iran in retaliation for attacks on its bases in Jordan. The renewed fighting came after five days of peace and was caused by a "surprise" Iranian strike on US bases in Jordan on Tuesday night, The Telegraph reported.
A White House official said: "The commander-in-chief has all options at his disposal."
