Experts say US may opt for blockade rather than direct strikes against Iran

Experts say an Iranian response against Israel is not inevitable if the United States launches a strike.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

A US move against Iran may take the form of a naval blockade rather than direct military strikes, according to Iran expert Danny Citrinowicz, who said Washington’s growing presence in the Gulf provides options.

Speaking Sunday on 103FM, the senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies said the deployment of American forces does not necessarily signal an imminent bombardment but could instead enable pressure designed to restrict Iran’s movement and leverage negotiations.

His remarks followed comments by President Donald Trump last week that the United States had “a lot of ships heading toward Iran,” while expressing hope they would not be used. “We have an armada heading their way. They know what we want,” Trump said before departing the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Citrinowicz noted that Israel has allowed Washington to take the lead, calling it “preferable for the United States to do the job,” while cautioning that it remains unclear what the US strategic objective is amid what he described as mixed signals in Trump’s public messaging. He stressed that Israel must assume “all options are on the table.”

In a separate interview on the same station, former national security adviser Dr. Eyal Hulata said the current American buildup does not point to a large-scale war in the near term.

He suggested that sustained pressure could push Tehran toward negotiations, adding that Trump appears uninterested in a broader confrontation.

Both experts said an Iranian response against Israel is not a foregone conclusion if the United States strikes.

Citrinowicz said Tehran’s reaction would depend on how it interprets the intent of any American action. Hulata warned that attacking Israel would be a mistake, saying Israel would retaliate against “expensive and extremely important infrastructure” tied to the regime and economy.

Hulata advised that Israel should avoid initiating action unless absolutely necessary and urged the public to rely on guidance from the Home Front Command, saying authorities would avoid unnecessary risks and ensure civilians remain protected.