Trump willing to end Iran war without reopening strait of Hormuz, aides say
US President Donald Trump is considering ending the military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, focusing on weakening Iran's navy and missile stockpiles instead
WASHINGTON (The Uttam Hindu) : US President Donald Trump has agreed to prevent conflict with Iran. The Wall Street Journal, citing Trump administration officials, reported that the president has told his aides that he is willing to end the US-Israel war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.
The report states that Trump and his allies believe that attempting to open a sea route carrying vital global oil supplies could prolong the war with Iran. Trump had set a four to six week timeframe for the war to end, but this mission could extend the war beyond that timeframe.
Xinhua news agency quoted officials as saying that Trump decided that the US should focus on achieving its main objective of weakening Iran's navy and missile stockpiles, and apply diplomatic pressure on Tehran to resume the free flow of trade through the strait. Meanwhile, the US president has decided that if all these efforts fail, the White House will pressure European and Gulf allies to take the lead in reopening it.
Officials further stated that military options are still on the table, but are not President Trump's immediate priority. However, despite these assessments, Trump's public messaging regarding the conflict with Iran has remained inconsistent. On Monday morning, he threatened to completely destroy all of Iran's power plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island if a deal is not reached soon. Meanwhile, the government has taken steps to strengthen the US military presence in the region. Last week, the USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit entered the area, and parts of the 82nd Airborne Division are also beginning to arrive.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the deployment of 10,000 more ground troops is also being considered. Trump is also considering a difficult mission to seize Iran's uranium enrichment.
White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt said on Monday that the US is working toward resuming normal shipping through the strait, although reopening it is not among the government's main military objectives. Trump's main focus is on targeting Iran's navy, missile program, defense industry, and nuclear infrastructure.