With the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices, Iran, according to former Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, is attempting to black‑mail the world. Gantz told the ZDF “Heute” journal on Sunday that attacks against Iran must continue in order to make Tehran understand that “no games are to be played there”. He noted that “a lot has already been achieved in these 16 days” of the conflict, but added that “the threats must be eliminated as far as possible”. When asked whether Israeli ground forces could be deployed in Iran to further that objective, Gantz replied, “I would not rule anything out”.