WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is reportedly willing to end the ongoing military campaign against Iran without immediately reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Senior administration officials told The Wall Street Journal that forcing the waterway open would likely prolong the conflict beyond the preferred US timeline of four to six weeks.
Instead, Washington appears focused on achieving limited but critical objectives. These include degrading Iran’s naval capabilities and reducing its missile threat before scaling down military operations.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow corridor through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes, remains disrupted by Iranian naval mines and missile activity. The partial closure has already triggered a spike in global energy prices.
Despite repeated U.S. warnings, including an April 6 deadline for Tehran to reopen the route, Iran has largely resisted external pressure. Attacks on oil tankers in the region have further complicated stabilization efforts.
Under the emerging strategy, diplomatic channels will take precedence once military goals are met. The US is expected to push Iran to reopen the strait through negotiations. If diplomacy fails, Washington may urge European and Gulf allies to restore maritime access.
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Officials say the approach reflects a calculated balance: limiting direct U.S. involvement while containing economic fallout and avoiding a prolonged regional war. However, leaving the strait partially closed could sustain energy market volatility and heighten geopolitical tension in one of the world’s most critical trade corridors.
