Iranians are choking like stuffed pig: Trump says blockade stays until nuclear deal

There is no compromise on the table from Washington. US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s proposal outright and is doubling down on a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with Axios, Trump defended the blockade as more effective than direct military action. "The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. They are choking like a stuffed pig. And it is going to be worse for them. They can't have a nuclear weapon," he said.

He also claimed Iran is under growing pressure and increasingly willing to negotiate. "They want to settle. They don't want me to keep the blockade. I don't want to (lift the blockade), because I don't want them to have a nuclear weapon," Trump added.

So far, both sides are locked in a deadlock. Iran is pushing to resolve shipping restrictions first. The United States insists that nuclear concessions must come upfront. Trump’s rejection of Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before talks effectively shuts the door on a phased approach, which was floated by Iranian side through Pakistan.

The administration believes restricting Iran’s oil exports -- particularly through control of the Strait of Hormuz -- will weaken Tehran’s position. Trump believes Iran’s energy infrastructure is nearing breaking point and its oil storage, pipelines are "getting close to exploding" due to the inability to export crude.

MILITARY OPTION STILL ON THE TABLE

Despite emphasising the blockade, the White House has not ruled out further escalation. According to Axios, US Central Command has prepared plans for a "short and powerful" round of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure with the aim to break the current stalemate and push Iran back to the negotiating table under greater pressure. However, Trump has so far stopped short of authorising military action, instead focusing on economic measures while leaving the threat of force in reserve.

Meanwhile, the US President has shown confidence that Iran’s capabilities have already been degraded. "They have very little left. They have some missiles, a small percentage," he said, adding that around 80 per cent of Iran’s missile production capacity has been destroyed.

IRAN WARNS OF UNPRECEDENTED RESPONSE

Tehran, however, has issued warnings in response to the continued blockade. A senior Iranian security source, quoted by state media, said the US move "will soon be met with practical and unprecedented action" if it continues. Iranian officials repeatedly said that the blockade is not just economic pressure but part of a bigger attempt to destabilise the country internally. Iran's Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused Washington of trying to create divisions within Iran.

"The enemy has entered a new phase and wants to activate economic pressure and internal division through naval blockade and media hype to weaken or even make us collapse from within," he said, calling for national unity in response.

Iran has also made clear it will continue to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as long as it faces pressure.

TRUMP’S WAR MATH ON BLOCKADE

The impact of the blockade is becoming increasingly evident, and it is not confined to the battlefield. Oil prices are climbing sharply as fears of prolonged disruption grow, while Iran’s currency is sliding to record lows under mounting economic pressure. Americans are also feeling the heat as fuel prices have surged recently. According to the Pentagon, the war has already run up a bill of around $25 billion for the US.

Trump has held discussions with US oil executives on how to sustain the blockade for months if needed, while minimising the impact on domestic consumers. The administration appears prepared for a prolonged standoff.

Amid all the conundrum, Trump’s message for Iran is blunt: Iran just has to say we give up. Speaking to reporters in the White House, he admitted that Iran has come a long way in negotiations and talks are continuing over the phone, but only on terms acceptable to Washington.

"The question is whether or not they’re going to go far enough. There will never be a deal unless they agree there will be no nuclear weapons," he said.

Based on Iran’s responses so far, there is little room for compromise.

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