US-Iran Talks Conclude Without Agreement: Trump's Next Moves
US-Iran Negotiations End Without Resolution
US-Iran Negotiations Conclude: The world was closely watching the discussions between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, but after 21 hours of talks, no agreement was reached. US Vice President JD Vance stated that the negotiations ended without any consensus. Following this, President Donald Trump may resort to strategies similar to those used in Venezuela.
Upon returning to the US, Vice President Vance shared a report from Just the News on Truth Social. The report suggested that if Iran is unwilling to agree, Trump might implement a blockade strategy akin to the one used against Venezuela, which could devastate Iran's economy and exert pressure by blocking ships from countries like India and China.
According to the report, before launching a military operation to capture the dictator Nicolas Maduro, Trump had already crippled Venezuela's economy through a naval blockade, significantly reducing the country's oil revenues. If Iran refuses to accept the final agreement proposed by the US on Saturday, Trump could follow through on his threats to bomb Tehran, potentially sending it back to the 'Stone Age,' or he might reinstate the blockade strategy to further weaken Iran's already struggling economy and cut off a vital oil source for China and India.
The report further noted that the USS Gerald Ford, which led the blockade against Venezuela, has now arrived in the Persian Gulf after repairs and crew rest, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and other naval vessels. Experts suggest that Trump could easily challenge Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz through a blockade.
Rebecca Grant, a national security expert at the Lexington Institute, told Just the News, 'It will be much easier for the US Navy to maintain control over everything passing through this strait—whether going in or out. I've heard that around 10 ships have moved through in the last 24 hours, including a Russian tanker flying a different flag. We also learned that some cargo was sent to China and India, and we've seen some ships entering the strait.'
She added, 'If Iran remains obstinate, the US Navy can certainly establish a robust monitoring mechanism over the waters... keeping an eye on everything coming in and out of this strait. If you want to pass through the narrow part near Kharg Island or Oman, you'll need permission from the US Navy.'
As the temporary ceasefire period nears its end, the Trump administration has already prepared several options in case Iran rejects Trump's final proposal. The idea of a naval blockade was first suggested last week by retired General Jack Keane, one of the country's top military strategists. Keane wrote in a column for a major publication, 'If war resumes and we significantly weaken Iran's remaining military assets, the US military could choose to capture—or destroy—Kharg. Additionally, the US Navy could implement a blockade, cutting off Tehran's export lifeline.'
He further stated, 'If we maintain the infrastructure at Kharg but take physical control of it, we will have complete leverage over Iran's oil and economy. This would be the greatest pressure needed to seize its nuclear stockpile—namely, its enriched uranium reserves—and eliminate its enrichment facilities.'