Trump tells aides to prepare for extended naval blockade of Iran - report

(Sharecast News) - US president Donald Trump has reportedly instructed aides to prepare for an extended naval blockade of Iran. According to the Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, Trump is targeting the regime's coffers in a high-risk bid to compel a nuclear capitulation Tehran has long refused.

It was understood that in recent meetings, including a Monday discussion in the Situation Room, Trump opted to continue squeezing Iran's economy and oil exports by preventing shipping to and from its ports.

Officials told the WSJ that Trump had assessed that his other options - resume bombing or walk away from the conflict - carried more risk than maintaining the blockade.