Did Washington misjudge Iran’s Hormuz play? Report points to planning gaps in Trump team

The administration of US President Donald Trump reportedly did not fully expect Iran to move towards shutting the Strait of Hormuz after American military strikes, according to a report by CNN citing sources involved in internal planning discussions.

The report suggests that during preparations for the ongoing military operation, officials in the Pentagon and the US National Security Council had not strongly factored in the possibility that Tehran might try to block the key maritime route. The waterway, which links the Persian Gulf to global shipping lanes, has long been viewed as one of the world’s most sensitive energy chokepoints.

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Sources told CNN that while the US military has maintained contingency plans for a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz for years, that scenario did not appear to dominate strategic discussions ahead of the latest operation.

Officials from the US Departments of Energy and Treasury reportedly attended some of the planning meetings before the strikes began. However, according to people familiar with the discussions, the kind of detailed economic projections and coordinated analysis between agencies that usually guide major policy decisions were not at the centre of those deliberations.

Iran signals Hormuz could remain a pressure tactic

Meanwhile, Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei suggested that using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage could remain part of Tehran’s strategy.

Addressing supporters in remarks aired on Iranian state television, he said: “Dear fighter brothers! The desire of the masses of the people is the continuation of effective and regret-inducing defence. Furthermore, the leverage of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used.”

Khamenei also said Iranian authorities had identified locations that he claimed could be targeted if the conflict expanded further.

“Studies have been conducted regarding the opening of additional fronts in areas where the enemy has negligible experience and would be highly vulnerable, and their activation will be carried out if the state of war persists and in accordance with the observance of interests,” he said.

Iran’s UN envoy says Tehran will not close the Strait

Even as tensions rise, Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani said Tehran currently has no plans to shut the vital shipping route.

Speaking to reporters at the UN, Iravani said Iran respects international maritime law and supports the principle of free navigation through the Strait.

“We are not going to close the Strait of Hormuz, but it is our inherent right to preserve the peace and security in this waterway, and it is our right,” he said.

He added that Iran continues to honour international rules governing sea routes.

“Iran has no choice but to exercise its inherent right to self-defence under the UN Charter and international law. Iran fully respects and remains committed to the principles of freedom of navigation under the law of the sea. However, the current situation in the region, including in the Strait of Hormuz, is not the result of Iran’s lawful exercise of its right of self-defence,” Iravani said.

In recent days, Iran has stepped up controls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalate following joint US-Israeli strikes. Iranian officials have said that vessels not linked to the United States or Israel would be allowed to pass safely.