US President Donald Trump has instructed his aides to develop a plan for a prolonged blockade of Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.
According to them, the White House has expressed support for putting pressure on the Islamic Republic's economy by preventing ships, including oil tankers, from leaving Iranian ports. Trump believes that other options - resuming bombing or withdrawing from the conflict - carry greater risks for Washington than continuing the blockade.
As the publication notes, Trump is receiving conflicting advice on his next steps regarding Iran. Some officials are openly calling on the White House to increase pressure on Tehran, while others are expressing concerns that keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed or continuing hostilities will hurt the US economy and could have a significant negative impact on the performance of the Republican Party in the midterm elections.