Trump Says He’ll Keep The Naval Blockade Of Iran Until a Deal Is Reached: ‘Choking Like a Stuffed Pig’

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he is maintaining the blockade of Iranian ports until a deal that addresses the U.S.’s concerns about the country’s nuclear program is reached.

Speaking to Axios, Trump said he rejected an Iranian proposal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz without a nuclear deal. He said the ongoing blockade is “somewhat more effective than the bombing.”

“They are choking like a stuffed pig. And it is going to be worse for them. They can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “They want to settle. They don’t want me to keep the blockade. I don’t want to [lift the blockade], because I don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Trump claimed that Tehran’s oil storage facilities and pipelines are “getting close to exploding” because the country can’t ship exports as a result of the blockade.

The outlet also cited three sources who said the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has prepared a “short and powerful” wave of renewed strikes hoping to break the deadlock.

Iran, in turn, has threatened “unprecedented military action” if the U.S. continues with the blockade.

Citing an unnamed official, Iranian state-run press said its leaders’ “patience has limits” and a continued blockade would warrant a “punishing response.”

“The official warned that the enemy should soon expect a different kind of response,” the report added, without offering any additional details.

Oil kept rising on Wednesday as a result of deadlocked negotiations. Both Brent oil and West Texas Intermediate soared more than 5%. The former topped to $119 at 1:17 p.m. and has now increased over 94% since the beginning of the year. The latter topped $107.

Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif told members of his cabinet that the country continues trying to bridge gaps between the country and mediation efforts “are still ongoing.”

“Due to the war, our journey of economic development has come to a halt; petroleum prices are soaring to the skies; mountains of problems stand before us, but we will emerge successfully from this difficult time,” Sharif said. “Due to our immense efforts, the ceasefire has been extended, which is still ongoing,” he added.