U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he may wind down military operations against Iran even if the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed,
according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing administration officials.
The report said Trump and his aides recently concluded that efforts to reopen the narrow waterway by force would extend the conflict beyond their targeted four to six-week timeline.
Instead, the administration is prioritising weakening Iran’s naval capabilities and missile stockpiles before scaling back hostilities.
Officials said Washington aims to shift focus toward diplomatic pressure on Tehran to restore the free flow of global trade through the strait.
If those efforts fail, the U.S. may push allies in Europe and the Gulf region to take the lead in securing and reopening the route.
At a briefing on March 30, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that the military operation had been planned within a four to six-week timeframe,
noting that the campaign had reached day 30. She also suggested that Arab nations could be asked to share the operational and financial burden of the conflict.
The conflict began escalating on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran,
prompting retaliation that expanded hostilities across the Gulf region.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
Its closure has severely disrupted maritime traffic, halting the movement of hundreds of vessels daily,
including oil tankers and cargo ships, and raising concerns over global energy supplies and trade stability.
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)