US shifts strategy in Iran conflict, prioritising limited military gains and diplomacy over reopening Hormuz, even as troop deployments rise and global energy markets remain under pressure.
US President Donald Trump | Photo: X/@WhiteHouse
US President Donald Trump has indicated that he is ready to wind down the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran within weeks, even if the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, according to US media reports.
The move suggests a shift in Washington’s war aims – from reopening a critical global energy route to securing limited military gains – even as the closure of the strait continues to disrupt oil supplies and push prices higher worldwide.
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According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump has told aides he is willing to end the conflict within a four-to-six-week window, assessing that any attempt to forcibly reopen the Strait of Hormuz would significantly prolong the war.
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Instead, the administration is focusing on what it sees as its “core” objectives, i.e. weakening Iran’s navy and missile capabilities, while relying on diplomatic pressure to restore shipping through the waterway. Xinhua mentioned officials as saying that if these efforts fail, the US may push European and Gulf allies to take the lead in reopening the strait.
Officials said military options remain available, but are not an immediate priority.
However, Trump’s public messaging has remained inconsistent. Even as he signalled a possible exit, he warned of ‘complete obliteration’ of Iran’s energy infrastructure if a deal is not reached quickly.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy chokepoint, remains under severe strain, with oil prices crossing $100 per barrel and concerns rising over shortages of fertilisers and other essential goods.
Trump has reportedly downplayed the impact on the US, telling aides the disruption is primarily a concern for Asia and Europe, which account for the bulk of oil shipments through the route.
At the same time, Washington is trying to ease the crisis without pushing things further. The focus now is on talks, and even the idea of working with allies to help oil tankers move again is being explored.
The White House has pointed to a few recent tanker movements as a sign that these backchannel efforts with Tehran may already be having some effect.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is working to restore normal shipping, though reopening the strait is not among its core military objectives.
Even as Trump weighs an early end to hostilities, the US military footprint in the region continues to expand.
Over the weekend, the USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit entered the region, while elements of the 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving. The deployment of up to 10,000 additional ground troops is also under consideration, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Trump is also reportedly evaluating a high-risk operation to seize Iran’s uranium reserves.
The parallel push, signalling de-escalation while reinforcing military presence, has created uncertainty around Washington’s next steps in the conflict.
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