WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump told aides he’s willing to wind down US military campaign against Tehran, even if Strait of Hormuz remains firmly under control of Iranian forces.
Officials warn this could leave Iran in command of the vital waterway, pushing any effort to reopen it to a later, more complicated phase. Trump and his team concluded that trying to force open the strait now could drag the war far beyond the administration’s target timeline of four to six weeks.
Instead, POTUS wants to focus on crippling Iran’s navy and missile stockpiles while pressuring Tehran diplomatically to resume free trade.
If diplomacy fails, US may urge European and Gulf allies to take the lead in reopening the strait. While military options are still on the table, they are not the immediate priority. Despite this strategic restraint, Trump’s public rhetoric has been fiery. On Monday, he threatened to “completely obliterate” Iran’s power plants, oil facilities, and Kharg Island if a deal is not reached quickly.
Over weekend, USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived, while troops from the 82nd Airborne Division have started deploying. Up to 10,000 additional ground forces may be sent if needed.
Trump is weighing high-stakes mission to seize Iran’s uranium reserves. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the US is working to restore normal shipping through the strait but stressed that reopening it is not part of the administration’s primary military goals, which remain focused on Iran’s navy, missile program, defense infrastructure, and nuclear capabilities.
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