US and Israel Consider Land Blockade to Increase Pressure on Iran

The United States and Israel are exploring the possibility of imposing a land blockade on Iran as part of efforts to intensify economic pressure on the Iranian regime. This option is among several being considered by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan involves persuading Iran's neighboring countries and regional partners to tighten or close border crossings to restrict Iran's import and export activities.

According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, countries bordering Iran, including Iraq and Pakistan, could be urged to limit cross-border trade. A senior Israeli official was quoted saying, "What if you simply block the territory? Suppose Iran cannot bring anything in or take anything out." However, the proposal faces significant logistical and political challenges due to Iran's extensive land borders with Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Retired US Lieutenant General Sean McFarland commented that a land blockade would be nearly impossible to implement fully but acknowledged that cutting off Iran's trade would economically isolate the country. He emphasized that such an economic approach would need to be supported by military components. McFarland also noted the difficulty of completely preventing aid to Iran, especially given its land border with Iraq, a country with close ties to Iran.