Trump Reportedly Considering Swift End to War Without Operation to Open Strait of Hormuz
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WASHINGTON – According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report on Tuesday (31/3/2026), US President Donald Trump is considering bringing the war with Iran to a swift end without lifting the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has informed his ministers of this, while hinting at a separate military operation to open the Strait of Hormuz in the future.
In recent days, Trump and his ministers have assessed that efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz, currently closed by Iran, would prolong the conflict for up to six weeks. According to the WSJ report, Trump has decided that the US must achieve its goals of leaving the Iranian Navy crippled and its missile stocks depleted, while scaling back military operations and continuing to press Tehran diplomatically to open the Strait of Hormuz.
If that fails, Washington will urge its allies in Europe and the Persian Gulf to lead the operation to open the Strait of Hormuz, the WSJ report quotes several officials as saying. In a media briefing on Monday (30/1/2026), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump and the Pentagon chief have consistently emphasised a four-to-six-week timeline for military operations against Iran.
“We are on day 30 today,” Leavitt said.
Leavitt also indicated that Arab countries could be asked to share the burden of military operations in Iran. “I think that would be something quite appealing to the president. I don’t want to preempt him, but it’s an idea, something I think you’ll hear more about later,” Leavitt said in response to a question on whether countries like Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia should help bear the costs of operations in Iran.
Last week, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported on Thursday (26/3/2026) differences of opinion between the US and Israel regarding plans to end the war with Iran. According to the report, the disagreements centre on three main issues: the future of Iran’s ballistic missile programme, the transfer of enriched uranium to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the easing of economic sanctions on Iran.
On Wednesday (25/3/2026), several reports mentioned that a 15-point US proposal to halt the war had been conveyed to Iran via Pakistan. The US is also reportedly considering a one-month temporary ceasefire to pave the way for negotiations.
Citing an unnamed Iranian official, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Thursday that Iran has officially responded to the US proposal through a mediator. The response includes demands to halt attacks and assassinations on all fronts, guarantees of no further war, compensation, and recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, the official said.