The United States and Israel are considering a land blockade of Iran to intensify economic pressure on Tehran. Iran, meanwhile, has continued attacking vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, deepening the conflict.
The Telegraph reported on the 31st that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed "physical and non-physical means" to strengthen pressure on Iran during talks held this week. According to the Telegraph, one of the options under review is to persuade Iran's neighboring countries, including Iraq and Pakistan, to reinforce or close border checkpoints, thereby restricting the flow of imports and exports.
The Telegraph, citing a senior Israeli official, reported: "What would happen if the land routes were blocked? Iran would not be able to bring anything in or send anything out."
The Telegraph noted that such a plan would face considerable logistical and political difficulties, given that Iran shares borders with Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
On the same day, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had attacked and stopped two tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz along an "unauthorized route" while escorted by US military aircraft. In a statement, the IRGC said that four other tankers turned back following the incident.
The IRGC criticized the vessels, saying the "tankers ignored Iran's warnings and, deceived by false information from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), attempted to pass through the waterway."
