US President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, the Wall Street Journal reports according to Reuters, citing US officials.

In recent meetings, Trump opted to continue squeezing Iran’s economy and oil exports by preventing shipping to and from its ports, the report said, adding that he believed that his other options, including resuming bombing or walking away from the conflict, carried more risk than maintaining the blockade.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report.