U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he will keep Iran under a U.S. naval blockade until Tehran agrees to a deal with Washington on its nuclear program.
In an interview with U.S. news website Axios, Trump claimed that Iran wants to reach a deal in order to lift the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. However, he rejected Iran's three-step offer which seeks to reopen the strait and leave nuclear talks for later negotiations.
Emphasizing that the blockade is the most effective means of pressure at present, he said that Iran is under enormous pressure as it is unable to export oil.
U.S. Central Command is reported to have prepared a plan for a "short and powerful" wave of strikes on Iran in hopes of breaking the negotiating deadlock.
A senior Iranian security source, quoted by the country's state media PRESS TV, said Wednesday that the U.S. navy "will soon be met with practical and unprecedented action" if it continues the illegal naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States imposed its blockade after post-ceasefire negotiations with Tehran in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on April 11 and 12 failed to lead to an agreement.
The ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel took effect on April 8 following 40 days of fighting, which started on Feb 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders, and civilians.
Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East, and tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump says Iran blockade to stay until nuclear deal reached
