The United States military is preparing to expand its campaign against Iran by boarding and potentially seizing Iran-linked oil tankers in international waters, a move that would significantly widen its maritime enforcement efforts, according to US officials cited byThe Wall Street Journal.The planning comes amid escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran's military has in recent days attacked multiple commercial vessels and stated that the strategic passage is now under its "strict" control.
The proposed escalation is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to intensify economic pressure on Tehran, with the aim of forcing it toreopen the Strait of Hormuzand make concessions in negotiations over its nuclear programme.
Trump said on Friday that Iran had agreed to transfer its stockpile ofhighly enriched uraniumto the United States, a claim that Iranian officials have rejected. Central to the negotiations are questions over how long Iran would suspend uranium enrichment and whether it might regain access to billions of dollars in frozen assets.
According to US Central Command, American forces have already turned back 23 vessels attempting to leave Iranian ports as part of a naval blockade. Officials say the next phase would allow US forces to target Iran-linked ships globally, including those carrying oil outside the Persian Gulf and vessels suspected of transporting weapons.
General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Thursday that the United States "will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran."
"This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil," he added, referring to ships that evade sanctions and regulatory oversight.
The expanded effort, which officials say would involve the US Indo-Pacific Command, is part of a pressure campaign known as "Economic Fury." The White House has indicated that it sees the measures as a way to push both sides toward a negotiated settlement.
Anna Kelly, a White House spokeswoman, said the administration believed the blockade and related actions could help facilitate a peace agreement.
The push comes as a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran is due to expire next week. Talks held in Pakistan last weekend ended without a breakthrough, and no new round of negotiations has yet been scheduled. Both sides appear to be preparing for the possibility of renewed conflict. US officials say Iran retains thousands of short- and medium-range missiles, though its defence industry has been significantly degraded by recent strikes.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces were "maximally postured" to resume operations if diplomacy fails, while signalling that the administration is wary of committing ground troops.
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