Trump Willing to End US-Iran War Without Reopening Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump has privately informed his advisors that he is prepared to conclude the ongoing US-Iran conflict even if the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to a Monday report from the Wall Street Journal, which cited administration officials.
Strategic Shift to Avoid Prolonged Conflict
In recent days, Trump and his aides have reportedly concluded that any military effort to forcibly reopen this critical maritime chokepoint would inevitably extend the conflict beyond his planned four to six-week timeline. This strategic reassessment marks a significant shift in the administration's approach to the war.
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, has already triggered a dramatic surge in global oil prices. Brent crude oil prices have soared to a near four-year high, reaching $113 per barrel today. This represents a staggering 56% increase compared to prices before the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran commenced.
Focus on Core Military Objectives and Diplomatic Pressure
President Trump reportedly wants the United States to concentrate its military efforts on achieving its primary strategic aims: significantly weakening Iran's naval capabilities and degrading its missile stockpiles. Following this, the administration intends to scale down active combat operations.
Concurrently, Washington plans to employ sustained diplomatic pressure to compel Tehran to restore normal trade flows through the Strait. Should this diplomatic approach fail, US officials stated that Washington would then request its allies in Europe and the Gulf region to take the lead in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Contradictory Threats and Claims of Progress
In a recent post on his Truth Social platform, President Trump issued a stark threat, warning that the US would "obliterate" Iranian energy sites, including the crucial Kharg Island oil terminal in the Persian Gulf, if Tehran does not agree to a peace deal "shortly."
In the same social media statement, the US president also claimed that negotiations to end the war with what he described as a "NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME" in Iran were making "great progress." This post followed a now-familiar pattern of Trump's often contradictory public comments regarding the war's status and diplomatic efforts.
Potential for Reduced Tensions and Current Maritime Reality
A potential US withdrawal from the conflict could help de-escalate regional tensions and improve the prospects for eventually reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption of this key shipping lane has been a primary driver behind the recent spike in global oil prices.
Separate reporting from Bloomberg indicates that the current maritime reality in the region is one of Iranian control. Almost all vessels now transiting the strait are using routes explicitly approved by Iranian authorities. These ships are sailing close to the Iranian coastline rather than the Omani side, and often only after conducting direct negotiations with Iran to secure safe passage.
In related developments, Malaysia and Thailand have reported separate, successful deals to secure the release of oil tankers that had been stranded in the Gulf due to the conflict and the strait's closure.
