US President Donald Trump is willing to wind down the American military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The report claimed
that Trump and his aides have assessed that a complex operation to fully reopen the strategic waterway could push the conflict well beyond his preferred timeline of four to six weeks.
Officials cited by the report said the administration is instead focused on achieving its core military objectives, weakening Iran’s navy, degrading its missile stockpiles and limiting its defence industry and nuclear capabilities, before scaling down hostilities and relying more heavily on diplomacy.
The report mentioned that Trump has conveyed mixed public messaging on the importance of the strait, at times threatening to bomb Iranian energy infrastructure if it is not reopened, while on other occasions suggesting that ensuring maritime access is more critical for other countries than for the United States.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the current phase of military objectives could be completed within weeks, after which “it will be up to Iran to decide” whether the strait is reopened or whether a coalition of countries will ensure freedom of navigation.
STRAIT OF HORMUZ DISRUPTION ROILS GLOBAL TRADE
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key pressure point in the conflict as around 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow waterway, making any prolonged closure a major concern for global markets.
Multiple countries are already grappling with supply disruptions that previously flowed freely through the strait.
Shortages are being felt across sectors dependent on energy-linked commodities such as fertiliser and helium used in semiconductor production.
Analysts cited by the report warn that continued disruption could deepen economic strain globally, as oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel amid uncertainty about the duration of the crisis.
Suzanne Maloney, an Iran expert and vice president at the Brookings Institution, was quoted as saying that ending military operations before ensuring safe passage through the strait would be “unbelievably irresponsible,” adding that global energy markets cannot shield the United States from economic consequences.
MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS CONTINUE DESPITE DIPLOMATIC FOCUS
Even as the White House signals interest in shortening the conflict timeline, US military deployments in the region have continued.
The report mentioned that the USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have entered the Middle East, while elements of the 82nd Airborne Division have also been ordered to the region.
The administration is also considering sending an additional 10,000 ground troops.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration was “working towards” normal operations in the Strait but did not list reopening it as one of the primary military objectives.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested that the United States or a multinational coalition could escort tankers through the strait if necessary, indicating that responsibility for ensuring safe passage may increasingly shift to allies.
Nearly 40 countries, including the United Kingdom, France and Canada, have pledged readiness to contribute to efforts ensuring maritime security in the region, according to the report.
KHARG ISLAND EMERGES AS POTENTIAL PRESSURE POINT
Alongside the debate over Hormuz, discussions have also focused on Iran’s Kharg Island, a key oil export hub.
According to the Associated Press, Kharg Island handles nearly 90 per cent of Iran’s crude exports, making it central to Tehran’s economy.
Trump has suggested the possibility of targeting or even seizing the island if diplomatic efforts fail to produce progress on reopening the strait.
“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t,” Trump said, according to AP, indicating that multiple options remain under consideration.
AP reported that US forces have already struck targets on the island, including air defence systems, radar infrastructure and a hovercraft base.
Analysts warn that deploying ground troops there could expose American forces to retaliatory strikes from the Iranian mainland due to the island’s proximity.
Michael Eisenstadt of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy told AP that occupying Kharg Island could put US troops at risk because Iran could launch drones, missiles or artillery strikes from nearby coastal positions.
Danny Citrinowicz of Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies told AP that escalation involving Kharg Island could trigger retaliation from Iran or its regional allies, including Houthi fighters in Yemen, potentially expanding the conflict across the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.
BLOCKADE OPTION SEEN AS LESS RISKY STRATEGY
Some experts cited by AP suggest that a maritime blockade targeting Iranian oil shipments could achieve similar economic pressure without requiring a ground operation.
Clayton Seigle of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said intercepting tankers at sea could restrict Iran’s oil revenues while reducing risks to US forces.
However, analysts caution that even capturing Kharg Island may not decisively cripple Iran’s economy, as Tehran may still find ways to continue limited exports, AP reported.
UNCERTAINTY OVER LONG-TERM STRATEGY
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s approach reflects competing priorities between limiting the duration of the conflict and ensuring long-term stability in global energy markets.
While officials believe Iran’s ability to control the strait could weaken as its military capabilities are degraded, the timeline for restoring normal shipping remains uncertain.
The report claimed that the administration had anticipated the possibility of Iran attempting to close the strait following initial strikes.
Tehran has since placed mines in the water and threatened tanker traffic, significantly reducing shipping volumes.
As diplomatic efforts continue alongside military operations, analysts say the future of the Strait of Hormuz and the regional balance of power will depend on whether negotiations can produce a workable agreement or whether a multinational effort becomes necessary to secure maritime routes.
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