Trump Eyes Victory in Iran Conflict as Focus Shifts to Reopening Key Waterway
US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to declare victory in the Iran conflict if Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz, while privately signaling that he could walk away without securing a nuclear deal.
According to US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, Trump's focus has shifted from securing a comprehensive agreement over Iran's nuclear program to ensuring traffic through the strategic waterway resumes.
Iran has put forward tough conditions for restoring unrestricted traffic through the waterway, including billions of dollars in US payments and the withdrawal of American troops from the region.
The Strait of Hormuz has become one of Iran's strongest sources of leverage since the conflict began in February, with Tehran disrupting shipping through missile and drone attacks that have slowed commercial traffic and contributed to volatility in global oil markets.