Washington (IANS): US President Donald Trump has informed aides that he is willing to conclude the US-Israeli war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Administration officials report that Trump and his advisors recently determined that a mission to forcibly reopen the global energy waterway would extend the conflict beyond his preferred four-to-six-week timeline.
Consequently, Trump has shifted the American focus toward primary objectives: crippling Iran’s navy and missile stockpiles. Simultaneously, the administration will pressure Tehran diplomatically to restore trade. Should these efforts fail, the White House intends to push European and Gulf allies to lead any maritime reopening efforts.
While officials noted that military options remain on the table, they confirmed that clearing the Strait is no longer an immediate priority.
Despite these internal assessments, the President’s public messaging remains inconsistent. On Monday morning, he threatened to “completely obliterate” Iran’s power plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island if the parties do not reach a deal promptly.
Meanwhile, the administration continues to reinforce the US military presence in the region. Over the weekend, the USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit entered the area, joined by arriving elements of the 82nd Airborne Division. The Wall Street Journal reports that the White House is also considering the deployment of up to 10,000 additional ground troops and weighing a complex mission to seize Iran’s uranium reserves.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified on Monday that while the United States seeks to restore normal shipping, reopening the Strait is not a core military objective. Instead, the administration’s primary targets remain Iran’s navy, missile programs, defense industry, and nuclear infrastructure.
