Trump Signals Flexible Strategy as US Prioritises Iran Military Targets Over Hormuz Reopening

Washington, March 2026 : US President Donald Trump has indicated to his aides that ending the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran could take precedence over fully reopening the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing administration officials.

The report said Trump and his team recently concluded that a military push to reopen the vital global energy route could significantly extend the war beyond the administration’s targeted four-to-six-week timeline. As a result, the White House is recalibrating its priorities, focusing instead on weakening Iran’s military capabilities while pursuing diplomatic channels to restore maritime trade.

Officials said the administration’s primary objectives include crippling Iran’s navy, reducing its missile stockpiles, and targeting key elements of its defence and nuclear infrastructure. If diplomatic efforts fail to ensure the resumption of shipping through the strait, the United States may shift responsibility to European and Gulf allies to lead efforts to reopen the passage.

While military options to secure the waterway remain under consideration, they are not viewed as an immediate priority. The approach reflects a broader strategy that combines military pressure with diplomacy rather than committing to a potentially prolonged naval confrontation.

However, Trump’s public statements have at times appeared more aggressive than the administration’s internal calculations. On Monday, he warned that the United States could “completely obliterate” Iran’s energy infrastructure, including power plants, oil fields and key facilities such as Kharg Island, if a deal is not reached swiftly.

At the same time, the US has been steadily increasing its military presence in the region. Over the weekend, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, was deployed to the area. Elements of the 82nd Airborne Division have also begun arriving, and officials are considering the deployment of up to 10,000 additional ground troops.

The report further noted that Trump is weighing options for a complex operation aimed at securing Iran’s uranium reserves, underscoring the broader strategic scope of the campaign.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US continues to work toward restoring normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. However, she clarified that reopening the waterway is not among the administration’s core military objectives at this stage.

As tensions persist, Washington’s evolving strategy highlights a balancing act between achieving swift military gains and avoiding a prolonged regional conflict with wider global economic consequences.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)