Washington, March 31: President Donald Trump informed aides of his willingness to conclude military operations against Iran without immediate requirements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports citing administration officials. This strategic shift suggests the United States will prioritize the degradation of Iranian naval and missile capabilities before transitioning to a diplomatic pressure campaign intended to restore regional trade.
The decision surfaced as the White House assessed that a sustained mission to clear the vital shipping lane would likely exceed the president’s preferred four-to-six-week timeline. Officials noted that if diplomatic efforts to reopen the waterway falter, Washington intends to call upon European and Gulf allies to spearhead future efforts to secure the chokepoint.
During a media briefing Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the operational timeline remains a priority for the administration.
“The president and the chief of the Pentagon have always stated a four to six-week estimated timeline for the military operation,” Leavitt affirmed. “We’re on day 30 today.”
Leavitt further indicated that the United States may look toward regional partners to assume more responsibility for the ongoing costs and logistics of the campaign. Regarding the possibility of Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia funding the operation, she asserted that the president would be interested in such an arrangement.
“I won’t get ahead of him on that but certainly it’s an idea, something that I think you’ll hear more from him on,” Leavitt declared.
The conflict began February 28 with joint strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces, leading to Iranian retaliation and a broader regional escalation. The Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a critical artery for global energy and cargo transit, has remained largely impassable, disrupting the movement of hundreds of commercial vessels daily.
