A demonstrator holds a placard in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

WASHINGTON, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military is preparing in the coming days to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing U.S. officials.

The U.S. "will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran," Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday.

The move will enable the U.S. to take control of Iran-linked vessels around the world, including ships carrying Iranian oil that are already sailing outside the Persian Gulf and those carrying arms that could support Tehran, the report said.

The operation would be carried out in part by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, according to Caine.

It marks a new phase of the U.S. pressure campaign against Tehran, dubbed "Economic Fury" by the Trump administration, aiming to maximize economic pressure on the Middle Eastern country as a temporary ceasefire between the two sides is set to expire next week.

U.S. President Donald Trump is optimistic that the naval blockade, combined with measures imposed under "Economic Fury," "will help facilitate a peace deal," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly was quoted as saying.