Trump ready to end Iran operation even if Strait of Hormuz not yet opened

Moscow (ANTARA) - United States President Donald Trump has told his staff that he is ready to end the military operation against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.

The report was written by The Wall Street Journal on Monday (30/3), citing several US administration officials, as quoted by RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

According to the report, in recent days, Trump and his staff have concluded that the mission to fully open the Strait of Hormuz could potentially prolong the conflict beyond the initial plan for the operation, which was estimated to last between four and six weeks.

Trump has decided that Washington should focus on its main objectives, namely limiting Iran’s naval capabilities and missile stockpiles, as well as de-escalating the ongoing hostilities, while simultaneously pressuring Tehran to restore smooth trade flows.

If those efforts do not yield results, Washington is said to encourage its allies in Europe and Persian Gulf countries to take a larger role in reopening the strategic shipping lane.

At the end of February, the United States and Israel launched attacks on several targets in Iran, including in the capital Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran then retaliated by launching attacks on Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.

The escalation around Iran has led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for shipping oil and liquefied natural gas from Persian Gulf countries to global markets. The situation has also affected export levels and oil production in the region, thereby driving up fuel prices in most countries around the world.