US Military Warns Trump: Forcing Strait of Hormuz Control Costly, Risky

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, U.S. military officials have advised President Donald Trump that a forceful takeover of the Strait of Hormuz would be a long-term and prohibitively expensive operation without any assurance of victory. NBC News reported that military plans for such an operation indicate significant casualties among American forces.

An American official told the network that the risks associated with a large-scale military operation have consistently been a topic in Trump’s discussions with his advisors regarding next steps concerning Iran. European and Arab sources familiar with the matter conveyed their concerns to Washington early in the process, stating that any U.S. military action to reopen the strait would be lengthy and fraught with peril.

These allies cautioned that such an endeavor could lead to U.S. warships being targeted by cruise missiles or drones. Furthermore, they predicted a substantial increase in oil prices and emphasized the lack of certainty for a decisive victory. These warnings come as U.S. officials disclosed that American military intelligence assessments suggest Iran’s strategic priority has shifted from its nuclear program to the Strait of Hormuz.

European officials informed NBC News that Iran believes it holds a stronger negotiating position by exercising practical control over the strait, viewing it as a more potent leverage tool than its nuclear program.