WASHINGTON – President Trump has directed his aides to prepare for a prolonged naval and economic blockade of Iran, U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal.

In a Monday Situation Room meeting, Trump chose sustained pressure on Iran’s oil exports and shipping over resuming strikes or withdrawing from the war, reportedly calling it the lower-risk option to force Tehran to dismantle its nuclear program, per the Wall Street Journal.

President Trump posted on Truth Social earlier that the blockade is pushing Iran toward a “State of Collapse.”