The United States is preparing for a possible escalation with Iran as diplomatic efforts appear to stall. US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington will continue a naval blockade on Iran, even as discussions around a potential agreement remain unresolved, reported Hindustan Times.
At the same time, sources familiar with the matter have suggested that military plans are being readied. According to a report by Axios cited by HT, US Central Command has prepared for a "short and powerful" wave of strikes.
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Plans for targeted strikes
Sources told the outlet that the proposed action is aimed at breaking the current deadlock and pushing Iran towards negotiations. The reported plan involves strikes that are likely to focus on infrastructure.
While no final decision has been publicly confirmed, the preparation signals a shift towards stronger measures if talks fail to progress.
Blockade seen as key leverage
Trump has maintained that the naval blockade is central to US strategy. He has reportedly rejected an Iranian proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz, where US forces continue to enforce restrictions.
Explaining his stance, Trump said the blockade is more effective than direct military action, stating, "they (Iran) are choking like a stuffed pig. And it is going to be worse for them. They can't have a nuclear weapon."
He also suggested that Iran is seeking a deal to ease the pressure but added, "I don't want to (lift the blockade), because I don't want them to have a nuclear weapon."
Trump further claimed that Iran's oil infrastructure is under strain, saying pipelines are nearing "exploding" due to export restrictions, though this claim has been contested by some analysts.
Iran signals strong response
On the other side, Iran has reportedly issued a warning over the continued blockade. An Iranian security source reportedly said the move would be met with "practical and unprecedented action", HT reported.
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The source added that while Iran has shown restraint so far to allow room for diplomacy, it could respond with a "punishing response" if the situation continues.
With both sides holding firm positions, the situation remains tense. The combination of military preparedness and diplomatic strain points to a critical phase in US-Iran relations, where next steps could shape the direction of the standoff.
