US balances military success with diplomacy, warning Iran of devastating consequences if negotiations collapse soon.
US President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing an end to the military campaign against Iran after achieving key strategic objectives, even as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved. Officials indicated that the administration believes its primary goals—crippling Iran’s naval strength and missile capabilities—have largely been met, allowing for a potential transition from active conflict to sustained diplomatic pressure.
Behind the scenes, discussions suggest that reopening the vital waterway by force could prolong the conflict beyond the administration’s preferred timeline. Instead, Washington is considering shifting responsibility to regional and European allies if diplomatic efforts fail to restore normal shipping operations through the strait.
Trump has maintained a firm stance, issuing repeated ultimatums to Tehran while also signaling progress in negotiations with what he described as a more cooperative leadership. At the same time, he warned that failure to reach an agreement could trigger severe retaliatory strikes targeting critical infrastructure.
The approach reflects a calibrated strategy—leveraging military gains to push for a favorable deal while keeping escalation options firmly on the table to ensure Iran cannot threaten global trade routes or regional stability.
