Washington, April 13 (NationPress) Republican Indian American leader Nikki Haley asserted that the United States made the right choice in abandoning negotiations with Iran, endorsing President Donald Trump’s blockade strategy and cautioning that Tehran is utilizing the Strait of Hormuz to "hold the global economy hostage."

Efforts to negotiate between Washington and Tehran have stalled, with both parties entering talks from vastly different positions. "The US presented a 15-point agenda, while Iran came in with a 10-point framework. The gap was significant," she stated during a CNN interview, emphasizing that "the Iranians were unwilling to relinquish their nuclear activities" or their dominance over the crucial maritime corridor.

Haley expressed support for Vice President J D Vance’s move to terminate the discussions, declaring, "We're not going to continue negotiations. This isn't a productive use of our time," and highlighted that the Trump administration is now taking decisive action. "We're going to target Iran where it truly impacts them," she affirmed.

She characterized the blockade as part of a comprehensive economic strategy aimed at crippling Iran’s economy. "The key to bringing Iran to its knees is through economic pressure," she stated, underlining the importance of maintaining the Strait of Hormuz open for international trade.

Haley cautioned that Iran is attempting to exploit its strategic position to exert increased pressure on the US and its allies. "Iran views success as maximizing political and economic pressure on Trump and the Gulf states. This is a high-stakes game," she remarked.

Pointing out the global implications, Haley mentioned that "20% of oil, 20% of liquefied natural gas," and "one-third of fertilizers" transit through the strait. She noted troubling signs of disruption: "Typically, 135 vessels would pass through daily. Now we see only a handful... There’s a backlog of 400 ships," she highlighted.

Haley clarified that the goal is not to engage in a protracted conflict. "We aim to resolve this swiftly," she stated, mentioning that US naval forces are already in the region to secure the passage.

Regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Haley insisted that efforts won’t be fulfilled until enriched uranium is eliminated. "President Trump has made it clear he opposes Iran developing nuclear weapons," she noted, adding that Gulf allies share this objective.

She indicated that a targeted military action might be necessary. "That’s likely where this is heading… It would take about a week to ten days to accomplish," she said, referring to it as a "special forces operation" which would be "hazardous."

Haley also accused China and Russia of bolstering Iran’s military capabilities, stating, "China has supplied… hundreds of ballistic missiles," and warned that Beijing might soon deliver additional air defense systems.

She expressed skepticism about whether Trump should move forward with an upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "I question the necessity of the summit," she said, advocating for a firmer US position unless China ceases its support for Iran.

In spite of her past criticisms of Trump during the 2024 campaign, Haley acknowledged his strong stance against adversaries. "He’s confronting our enemies in a robust manner, not a weak one," she stated, while also mentioning that his approach occasionally results in "chaos."

Haley raised domestic worries, indicating that the US economy and escalating debt are the "foremost issues" domestically, with national debt approaching $40 trillion and pressures mounting on entitlement programs.