WASHINGTON, November 5. /TASS/. CIA Director John Ratcliffe and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are urging US President Donald Trump to maintain the blockade of Iran and sustain economic pressure on the country, Axios reported, citing sources.
According to the sources, the strategy is designed to force Iran to reach a deal on terms favorable to the United States. However, it could take several months before Washington makes any headway with this approach, Axios added.
The Trump administration is considering three options for resolving the conflict with Iran, the news outlet reported. In addition to maintaining the blockade, they include resuming military action and reaching a peace agreement. The problem with the first option is that it would not enjoy public support, drive up gasoline prices and may fail to deliver the expected results. The negotiating route also poses risks: if Iranian authorities refuse to make concessions or increase their demands, Trump could find himself in a difficult position and struggle to secure an agreement, Axios noted.
The news outlet added that in recent months, a group of officials close to Trump, led by Vice President JD Vance, had pushed for a deal with Iran. Vance warned the president that the war was deeply unpopular and could result in Republican losses in the midterm elections. Trump, however, continued to favor resuming military operations, Axios reported.
According to the news outlet, the US armed forces are now finalizing preparations for a possible resumption of large-scale operations against Iran, including a military build-up in the region. At the same time, Qatari mediators are seeking the approval of Washington and Tehran for a draft peace agreement and hope to restart direct negotiations in the coming days.
On Wednesday, Vance wrote on his X page that the war with Iran had influenced the results of the US congressional midterm elections, in which the Republican Party suffered a defeat. He said voters wanted the administration, among other things, to end the war and reassess US relations with Israel. Trump also commented on the results later, telling reporters that Republicans had lost mainly because of the war with Iran and rising fuel prices.
War with Iran
The United States and Israel launched the war with Iran on February 28. Washington and Tehran signed the memorandum of understanding in June calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. However, the US resumed large-scale strikes on Iran overnight on July 8, accusing Tehran of violating the terms of the agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz. About 25% of global oil trade and around 20% of liquefied natural gas trade pass through the strait. The US administration then effectively indicated that it would end the use of large-scale military force against Iran and shift toward an attempt to economically strangle the country through sanctions.