Trump Miscalculates: Confident Iran Will Surrender Before Closing Hormuz Strait, But Tehran Is Fighting Back

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has been warned by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that Iran could close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, if attacked.

The warning was conveyed by General Dan Caine before the United States launched military aggression against Iran. However, Trump disregarded the caution and has now miscalculated.

According to a report published by The Wall Street Journal on Sunday, 15 March 2026, the decision to attack Iran was taken despite serious warnings about the potential consequences of closing the Strait of Hormuz and the possible shocks it could deliver to the global economy.

Caine told the president that US officials have long believed that Iran can deploy naval mines, drones, and missiles in an effort to block the world’s most critical shipping strait.

However, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing individuals aware of internal discussions, Trump acknowledged the risks but still decided to proceed with military operations. According to the report, the president believed Iran would likely surrender before taking such action.

He also told his advisers that even if Tehran attempted to block the strait, the US military would be capable of countering the threat.

The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical oil export route, linking major Gulf producers—including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates—to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Since the war began, Iran has taken steps to disrupt shipping in the region, blocking several oil tankers and attacking cargo vessels, developments that have contributed to a sharp increase in global oil prices.