According to U.S. officials, President Donald Trump told his aides he is prepared to halt a military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked. That approach would likely strengthen Tehran’s influence over this key waterway and delay its full reopening. The administration concluded that any large-scale operation to clear the strait would extend the conflict beyond the four-to-six-week timeframe set by Trump.
Washington’s new strategy is now focused on achieving core objectives: degrading Iran’s naval forces and missile arsenals, stopping ongoing hostilities, and applying diplomatic pressure on Tehran to restore the free movement of commercial shipping. If diplomacy fails, the U.S. expects its allies in Europe and the Persian Gulf to take the lead in reopening the strait, while military options would remain on standby but not be prioritized.
At the same time, Trump warned he would order the destruction of Iranian power plants and oil fields if Tehran does not open the Strait of Hormuz. That threat adds a military component to the diplomatic efforts. According to officials, the threats are combined with continuous diplomatic work, including mediation efforts at regional and international levels, although the primary emphasis is now on negotiations and economic pressure.
Pakistan confirmed it continues to act as a mediator between the parties, but the success of its mission depends on decisions by the conflicting sides themselves. Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington said the parties must make decisions that guarantee the success of negotiations. Tehran, meanwhile, has distanced itself from these efforts, saying Islamabad’s meetings with neighboring countries are part of Pakistan’s own plans and do not include Iran.
The Iranian side sharply criticized the U.S. settlement proposals. A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry called the 15-point U.S. proposal, delivered through intermediaries, largely “unrealistic, illogical and inflated.” He also accused U.S. officials of constantly changing positions and making contradictory statements, noting that during the 31 days of the conflict there were no real negotiations, except for a request for them transmitted via intermediaries such as Pakistan.
A fraught trust crisis complicates the situation: U.S. officials are unsure whether the Iranian representatives with whom contacts are being made through intermediaries have the real authority to approve or implement any peace agreement. U.S. and Gulf sources note that some elements of the Iranian regime do not trust the United States after previous diplomatic rounds collapsed because of U.S. strikes. At the same time, U.S. authorities maintain that talks are ongoing and that public statements often diverge from what is said in private conversations.
Commentary on the news
What specific role and influence does Iran traditionally have over control of the Strait of Hormuz, beyond its geographic position? - Beyond geographic control, Iran possesses significant naval and coastal defense forces in the region, developed capabilities to mine the strait, and asymmetric warfare tools (for example, fast attack craft and missile systems). Historically Iran views the strait as an area of vital interest and sovereignty and has repeatedly stated it is prepared to close it in the event of an existential threat, which serves as a powerful deterrent and bargaining tool.
Which countries are usually considered "U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf" and how do their relations with Iran affect their willingness to take the initiative to reopen the strait? - The main U.S. allies in the region are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Their willingness to act independently to reopen the strait is limited due to complicated relations with Iran, including historical rivalry, accusations of supporting proxy groups, and concerns about escalation. They depend on U.S. military support and would prefer Washington to lead any direct confrontation with Tehran to avoid direct retaliatory measures against their infrastructure and economies.
What was the historical "collapse of previous diplomatic rounds due to U.S. strikes" that is mentioned as a source of distrust between Tehran and Washington? - This refers in particular to the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qasem Soleimani by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020. That strike, which took place during a period of heightened tensions, sharply escalated relations and buried any short-term prospects for dialogue. Tehran viewed it as an act of state terrorism and a direct attack on its sovereignty, deeply undermining the already minimal trust in U.S. intentions and any diplomatic promises.
Full version: ترمب مستعد لإنهاء الحرب ضد إيران حتى مع استمرار إغلاق مضيق هرمز