Trump Signals Willingness to End Iran Campaign Despite Ongoing Hormuz Disruption

US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering winding down the American military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely inaccessible, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The report suggests that Trump and his advisers have assessed that fully restoring access to the strategic waterway could require a complex and prolonged operation, potentially extending the conflict beyond the administration’s preferred timeline of four to six weeks.

Instead, officials say the current focus is on achieving core military objectives, including weakening Iran’s naval capabilities, degrading its missile stockpiles, and limiting both its defence industry and nuclear-related activities. Once these goals are met, the administration is expected to scale back military operations and place greater emphasis on diplomatic engagement.

Trump has reportedly given mixed signals in public statements regarding the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, at times threatening action against Iranian energy infrastructure if access is not restored, while on other occasions suggesting that maintaining open maritime routes is more critical for other nations than for the United States.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the present phase of military operations could be completed within weeks, after which responsibility for reopening the strait may shift to Iran or a coalition of countries working to ensure freedom of navigation.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a major global chokepoint, with about 20 per cent of the world’s oil passing through it. Continued disruption has raised concerns across international markets, with reports of supply shortages affecting industries reliant on energy-linked commodities such as fertilisers and helium used in semiconductor manufacturing. Oil prices have also climbed above $100 per barrel amid ongoing uncertainty.

Experts warn that prolonged instability in the waterway could intensify global economic pressure. Some analysts argue that ending military operations before securing safe passage through the strait could have far-reaching consequences for global energy security.

Despite signals of a possible drawdown, US military activity in the region continues. Reports indicate the deployment of additional assets, including naval and marine units, as well as elements of airborne divisions. Discussions are also ongoing about the possible deployment of additional ground forces.

White House officials have stated that efforts are underway to restore normal maritime operations, though reopening the strait is not currently listed as a primary military objective. There are also indications that allied nations could play a larger role in escorting commercial tankers through the waterway if needed, with several countries reportedly prepared to contribute to maritime security efforts.

Attention has also turned to Iran’s Kharg Island, a key oil export hub responsible for the majority of the country’s crude shipments. The facility has emerged as a potential strategic pressure point, with reports suggesting it has already been targeted in previous strikes on air defence and radar installations.

Analysts caution that any escalation involving Kharg Island could heighten regional tensions, particularly given its proximity to Iran’s mainland, and may provoke retaliatory actions from Iran or its allied groups across the region.

Some experts suggest that a maritime blockade targeting Iranian oil shipments could achieve economic pressure without the risks associated with ground operations, though questions remain about the broader effectiveness of such strategies.

Overall, the situation reflects a delicate balance between military objectives, diplomatic considerations, and global economic stability, as the US weighs options for de-escalation while regional tensions and disruptions to critical shipping routes persist.