WASHINGTON, March 31 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- US President Donald Trump told aides he is prepared to wind down the US military campaign against Iran even if the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
According to administration officials cited by the WSJ, Trump and his team concluded that an operation to reopen the strait immediately would extend the conflict beyond his preferred timeline of four to six weeks.
Instead, the administration plans to achieve core objectives – crippling Iran’s navy and missile capabilities – while pressing Tehran diplomatically to resume free trade through the waterway.
If diplomacy fails, Washington would rely on European and Gulf allies to take the lead in reopening the strait, according to the report.
There are also military options Trump could decide on, but they are not his immediate priority, they said.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday that the US was “working towards” normal operations in the strait.
Regional escalations have continued to rage since Israel and the US launched an offensive against Iran on Feb 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU
