An article summarized by Axios:

President Trump says the U.S. will maintain its naval blockade of Iran until the country agrees to a deal addressing concerns over its nuclear program. He rejected Iran’s proposal to first reopen the Strait of Hormuz and delay nuclear negotiations, instead using the blockade as his main source of leverage. Trump argues the pressure is working, claiming Iran is eager to reach a deal but that he won’t ease restrictions unless nuclear issues are resolved.

Behind the scenes, U.S. Central Command has reportedly prepared plans for a “short and powerful” round of military strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure if diplomacy continues to stall. While Trump has not approved any direct military action, he has indicated he may consider it if Iran refuses to negotiate. For now, he believes the blockade is more effective than immediate bombing, pointing to its economic impact, particularly on Iran’s ability to export oil.

Iran, however, is signaling it may respond if the blockade continues. A senior Iranian source warned that the move could trigger “unprecedented” retaliation, emphasizing that patience is limited despite holding off so far to allow diplomacy a chance. The standoff highlights rising tensions, with both sides escalating pressure while leaving the door open, at least for now, for a negotiated resolution.

For the article: https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/trump-iran-nuclear-deal-blockade