U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the military operation in Iran is progressing “very well,” while downplaying Washington’s direct stake in securing the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that the United States does not benefit from the strait, arguing that countries reliant on its oil flows should bear responsibility for fighting and defending it. At the same time, he stressed the importance of keeping the Strait open and affirmed that the United States would assist regional countries in that effort.
According to the Financial Times, Trump warned that NATO faces a “very bad future” if it fails to contribute to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. In parallel, The New York Times reported, citing U.S. and Israeli officials, that Iran’s preparedness and capability to choke the strait and expand the war were greater than expected. During a recent White House meeting, Trump reportedly expressed frustration to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine over delays in reopening the passage.
Military officials indicated that the challenge lies in the vulnerability of the narrow waterway, where even a single Iranian soldier or allied militia member using a fast boat could target slow moving oil tankers with mobile missiles or plant explosive devices. U.S. officials further noted that escorting commercial vessels through the strait could take weeks to implement, requiring additional naval deployments, defensive equipment, and further strikes against Iranian weapons threatening the corridor.
