Tightening the Land Blockade on Iran Increases Its Isolation

Iran is facing mounting pressure on both the economic and security fronts, with land trade disrupted across several borders and about 17,000 trucks stranded on its frontiers with Turkey, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan, after Pakistan barred trucks coming from Iranian territory through two border crossings. The Wall Street Journal quoted Iranian officials as saying exports to Pakistan had been suspended and that food prices in Iran had risen by 128 percent, while a US official said sanctions are isolating the Iranian system and driving it to despair. Meanwhile, the head of Iran's General Staff, Ali Abdollahi, said his country will not allow US warships to enter Gulf waters, and the Revolutionary Guard said two oil tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz overnight Friday to Saturday, as Pakistan renewed its call for dialogue and diplomacy to reduce escalation.