An Iranian flag flies at half-mast at the Pakistan-Iran border crossing at Taftan, Balochistan province on March 1, 2026 after the death of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei amid US-Israel strikes; Illustrative. (photo credit: Banaras KHAN / AFP via Getty Images)
US, 'Israel' consider land blockade on Iran: Telegraph
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Plan aims to deepen Tehran's economic isolation.
- Proposal would require cooperation from neighboring states.
- Analysts question feasibility and strategic intent.
The United States and 'Israel' are exploring the implementation of a land blockade against Iran aimed at pushing Tehran into deeper economic isolation, according to a report published by The Telegraph on Friday.
The strategy comes as US President Donald Trump believes that previous naval blockade operations in the Strait of Hormuz have reached their limit. Trump reportedly discussed the land blockade proposal with 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with several other "kinetic and non-kinetic" strategic options, during their meeting in Washington on Tuesday.
Senior 'Israeli' official outlines rationale
Highlighting the scope of the proposed containment, a senior 'Israeli' official told The Telegraph: “What if you just blocked the land? Suppose Iran can’t bring anything in and cannot take anything out. Anything will happen.”
Speaking on the Trump-Netanyahu discussions and referencing previous joint US and 'Israeli' military strikes against Iran, the official emphasized: “We are protecting not only our lives but yours as well, and we’re fighting the battle of civilization against barbarism.”
Addressing ongoing security challenges, the official added: “We took out that lump of cancer because if we hadn’t, we’d be dead, and we didn’t have a choice. But it doesn’t mean that we don’t have to keep on taking out the attempts to do this thing to you know to come back. We’re doing that, and we’re able to do that. But it’s still a challenge.”
Iran seeks rearmament
The leak of the plan coincides with Iranian efforts to rearm itself following earlier strikes under US and 'Israeli' Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, which includes a recent Iranian order for Chinese shoulder-launched missile systems.
Neighboring states, enforcement hurdles, and potential military ruse
A comprehensive land blockade would depend heavily on diplomatic leverage to persuade Iran’s immediate neighbors -Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan- to enforce strict restrictions on goods flowing into and out of Tehran.
However, any participating nation would risk swift retaliation from Iran.
Commenting on the feasibility of the plan, retired US three-star general Sean MacFarland acknowledged the significant impact of economic isolation while pointing out the severe challenges involved.
"If you take away Iran’s ability to trade... then you are isolating them economically. That’s the way to bring them to their knees," MacFarland stated. "The economic approach is the concise one, but it must have kinetic elements. Iran borders a whole bunch of countries over land, and Iraq is very aligned with Iran. That would make it very difficult to stop any support from getting in.” Stated retired US three-star general Sean MacFarland
Additionally, The Telegraph noted that the public floating of a land blockade strategy may actually serve as a ruse designed to divert Tehran's attention away from "real" military plans currently being developed, particularly during a period when Iran is experiencing active supply shortages.
