The US's effort to expand the blockade against Iran depends on the attitude of neighboring countries

The U.S. is pushing to expand its economic pressure campaign against Iran beyond naval blockades and sanctions by closing overland border crossings, but neighboring countries have so far resisted. Washington has spent weeks negotiating with Turkey, Iraq and Pakistan, which remain reluctant to shut their frontiers. The effort matters because Iran’s land routes have become a critical lifeline for trade as maritime restrictions tighten. Whether Ankara, Baghdad and Islamabad agree to seal their borders will determine how much additional strain the U.S. can place on Iran’s economy. Watch for concrete commitments from those three governments in the coming weeks.