Trump Plans Full Naval Blockade of Iran, Modelled on Venezuela Strategy

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly finalising plans for a comprehensive naval blockade of Iran, mirroring the economic pressure strategy previously applied against Venezuela, according to multiple American media reports.
The plan, being developed at the highest levels of the White House and Pentagon, would extend beyond targeting Iran’s oil exports to halting all Iranian maritime trade — a dramatic escalation that analysts warn could send shockwaves through the global economy.
According to sources familiar with the deliberations, the blockade would cover the Strait of Hormuz and all major sea trade routes used by Iran, with additional U.S. naval assets being positioned in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea in preparation for enforcement.
“This isn’t just about oil,” one U.S. official said on condition of anonymity. “The goal is total economic strangulation — to bring Iran to the table on our terms.”
The strategy draws directly from Washington’s Venezuela playbook, where sweeping sanctions and maritime restrictions were used to cripple the Maduro government’s finances. Critics, however, note that the Venezuela model failed to achieve regime change and caused severe humanitarian suffering.
Energy markets reacted nervously to the reports, with oil prices surging on fears that a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — through which 20% of global oil supply passes daily — could trigger a full-scale energy crisis.
Several U.S. allies have privately expressed concern, warning that a total blockade could be considered an act of war under international law and may provoke a military response from Tehran.
The United Nations has called for immediate de-escalation, urging both sides to return to the negotiating table before the crisis reaches a point of no return.