WASHINGTON — An international naval blockade of Iranian oil exports should be considered as an option to stop Iran’s nuclear program, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin said.

Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, said in an interview Saturday with C-SPAN that the blockade should be considered before utilizing airstrikes. He said the blockade would put additional pressure on Iran to stop its suspected nuclear weapons program. 

He also said that imposing a no-fly zone over Iran could prove to be “very effective” and “I think [these are] options that whoever is willing to participate should explore, including Israel and including the United States.”

Israel has threatened to launch a military strike on Iran’s nuclear sites in a matter of weeks or months, according to reports.