Former Defense Secretary Trump said that large-scale air strikes cannot defeat Iran and called for a comprehensive economic blockade.

Former U.S. Defense Secretary warned that the United States cannot win a war with Iran relying solely on aerial bombings, and must instead pressure Iran through a comprehensive economic blockade to force them to open the Strait of Hormuz. On Wednesday, the U.S. launched multiple strikes against Iran again, with President Trump stating that they will intensify air strikes in the coming weeks to pressure Iran to sign an agreement. However, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, during an interview, stated that a strategy of only air strikes cannot change Iran's stance and demands to control the strait. "Even if we were to resume large-scale bombing like we did months ago and continue for some time, I do not think it would bring about substantial change," Esper said. During the interview on Wednesday, he further stated, "Pressuring Iran boils down to two options: a comprehensive military attack or completely cutting off their lifeline economically." He added in the discussion that for economic blockade to be effective, it requires sufficient time, long-term determination, continuous policy implementation, and international cooperation; and the short-term cost the U.S. will have to bear is a rise in domestic gasoline prices.