US President Donald Trump is considering limited military strikes on Iran alongside a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after negotiations between Washington and Tehran collapsed in Pakistan, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials familiar with the matter.The options were discussed on Sunday, hours after talks led by Vice President JD Vance broke down, reportedly over Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear programme, according to the report.While a full-scale bombing campaign remains on the table, officials indicated it is less likely due to concerns over regional instability and Trump’s reluctance to enter a prolonged conflict. A temporary blockade, coupled with pressure on allies to assume a longer-term escort role in the strait, is also under consideration.Trump, who spent Sunday at his Doral resort in Florida, signalled he remains open to diplomacy even as he escalated threats against Iran’s infrastructure. “I would hate to do it, but it’s their water, their desalinization plants, their electric-generating plants, which are very easy to hit,” Trump said on Fox News.The White House declined to outline specific next steps. Spokeswoman Olivia Wales said, “The President has already ordered a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, ending the Iranian extortion, and wisely keeps all additional options on the table.
Anyone who is telling The Wall Street Journal that they know what President Trump will do next is purely speculating.”Trump maintained that Iran is willing to return to negotiations, with US officials saying an offer remains open. However, Reza Amiri Moghadam described the Islamabad talks as an initial step. “The Islamabad Talks laid the foundation for a diplomatic process that, if trust and will are strengthened, can create a sustainable framework for the interests of all parties.”US officials outlined key conditions for any future agreement, including unrestricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, a complete halt to uranium enrichment, dismantling of nuclear facilities, surrender of enriched uranium stockpiles, and an end to support for regional proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.Officials warned that each option carries risks. A renewed large-scale military campaign could strain US resources and trigger domestic backlash, while scaling down operations without curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions or control over the strait could be seen as a strategic win for Tehran.Some analysts backed the blockade as the most viable option. Matthew Kroenig said, “We’ve seen this blockade strategy essentially work on Venezuela, and Trump has an opportunity to replicate it here. I think this is a way to really ramp up pressure on the regime and force them into some difficult dilemmas.”However, US officials cautioned that enforcing a blockade in the narrow strait could expose naval forces to missile and drone attacks.
Iran has remained defiant despite sanctions and recent US and Israeli strikes.The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly a fifth of global oil supplies, and any disruption has heightened concerns among US allies and global markets. Trump has acknowledged that fuel prices may remain high, posing political challenges ahead of midterm elections.Economic advisers also flagged broader risks. Steve Moore said, “My advice to the White House folks I’ve spoken to is secure the strait at any cost and immediately as a matter of economic and national and global security.
We have the power to protect the flow of international trade and must use it. Or the whole world economy could tumble into a global recession.”Despite the tensions, some former officials see room for diplomacy. Fred Fleitz said, “I think Trump’s right, Iran is out of cards. This conflict has only been going on for a few weeks. It’s too early to know how this will come out, but I think it looks promising.”
