US President Donald Trump is ready to end the war in the Middle East by leaving the Strait of Hormuz closed to shipping and under significant Iranian control. About this writes RBC with reference to The Wall Street Journal.
As noted by representatives of the presidential administration, in recent days, Trump and his aides have come to the conclusion that an attempt to unblock the strait will prolong the conflict beyond the planned four to six weeks.
According to the officials, the president has decided that the U.S. must accomplish the main goals of weakening Iran’s navy and missile stockpile and then winding down hostilities while putting diplomatic pressure on Tehran to resume free trade.
Washington also intends to demand that allies in Europe and the Gulf states take the lead in opening the strait.
Last week, Trump gave Iran an ultimatum that the US would launch strikes on Iranian power plants if Tehran did not unblock the Strait of Hormuz. However, the US president later reportedly suspended the strikes first for five and then ten days.
These decisions were announced amid Trump’s statements about constructive talks with Iran. He said that Tehran had agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, the Iranian authorities deny the fact of direct negotiations with Washington.
In Iran’s demands, published in response to the US 15-point peace plan, Tehran demanded to recognize the sovereign right over the Strait of Hormuz.
