U.S. and Israel Discuss Land Blockade to Heighten Iran's Economic Isolation
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are reportedly evaluating a land-based trade embargo on Iran, a move that would require cooperation from neighboring countries.
Washington – U.S. officials and Israeli leaders are said to be weighing a land blockade aimed at further restricting Iran's trade, according to a report from a British newspaper. The proposal was discussed by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting in Washington on Tuesday, alongside other diplomatic and military options.
"What if you just blocked the land? Suppose Iran can’t bring anything in and cannot take anything out," a senior Israeli official told the newspaper.
The plan would involve persuading Iran's bordering states—such as Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan—to limit the flow of goods to and from Tehran. Analysts note that any participating neighbor could face retaliation from Iran.
Retired U.S. Army three-star General Sean MacFarland, cited in the report, said that cutting off Iran’s ability to trade would be an effective economic strategy, though he acknowledged the difficulty of implementing such a measure given Iran’s extensive land borders.
The discussion comes amid ongoing tensions following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets earlier this year and Iran's reported procurement of Chinese missile systems.