The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that US President Donald Trump has ordered preparations for a long-term blockade of the Iranian regime.
Citing statements from these officials, the newspaper wrote that Trump’s objective with this move is to undermine the Iranian regime’s financial resources in order to force Tehran to yield to US demands regarding its nuclear program.
According to the Wall Street Journal, citing informed sources, Trump has concluded that other options—such as resuming attacks and bombing Iran or withdrawing from the conflict—carry higher risks compared to maintaining and continuing the blockade.
The Naval Blockade And the Structural Fracture of Iran’s Economy
According to the report, the US president told his aides that the Iranian regime’s three-stage proposal—reopening the Strait of Hormuz and postponing nuclear negotiations to the final phase—demonstrates Tehran’s lack of good faith in negotiations. The Wall Street Journal wrote that Trump intends to increase pressure on the Iranian regime until it yields to his main demands, namely the complete dismantlement of its nuclear program.
On Tuesday, April 28, Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Iran is in a state of collapse and has asked the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible.
CENTCOM reports many ships halted at Chabahar Port
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced in a message on X on Tuesday evening, April 28, that before the start of the naval blockade of Iran’s southern ports and coastlines, an average of about five ships would dock or anchor at Chabahar Port.
Prior to the U.S. blockade on Iran, 5 ships were moored or anchored in the Iranian port of Chah Bahar on an average day. Today, more than 20 vessels remain in Chah Bahar as U.S. forces cut off economic trade going into and coming out of Iran during the ongoing blockade. pic.twitter.com/eE6vEgsQ8d
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 28, 2026
CENTCOM stated in another post on X on Tuesday that forces under its command continue operations across the Middle East and are maintaining the blockade of Iran.
Earlier today in the Arabian Sea, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded M/V Blue Star III, a commercial ship suspected of attempting to transit to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. U.S. forces released the vessel after conducting a… pic.twitter.com/UFx329OsHj
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 28, 2026
