Trump tells aides he’s willing to end war without reopening Strait of Hormuz

President Trump has told aides that he is prepared to conclude the U.S. military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. Administration officials believe that trying to reopen the waterway by force would prolong the conflict beyond the four-to-six-week timeline the president wants.

The primary U.S. objectives are to degrade Iran’s navy, missile stockpiles, and defense industry. The administration hopes to use diplomacy to pressure Tehran into restoring free trade through the strait. If that fails, allies in Europe and the Gulf would be expected to help reopen it.

Trump has sent mixed messages publicly. He has threatened to bomb Iranian civilian energy infrastructure if the strait is not reopened by a certain date, while at other times downplaying its importance to the United States and saying the closure is a problem for other nations to solve.