Title: Wall Street Journal: Pressures of War and Hormuz Closure Drive Washington to Avoid Resuming Combat Against Iran
The American newspaper: Trump prefers maintaining economic pressure and a blockade over returning to war, amid fears over the fallout of the Strait of Hormuz closure and the strain on US naval forces
NYN | Reports and Analyses
The Wall Street Journal reported that US President Donald Trump is hesitant to resume the war against Iran, given the intensity of Iranian responses and the severe repercussions resulting from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the newspaper, the Trump administration has refocused on economic pressure and the blockade, adopting a wait-and-see strategy to allow pressure more time to work rather than embarking on a new military escalation that could broaden the conflict.
Blockade of Iran Continues ‘Indefinitely’
The paper quoted US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stating that the naval blockade imposed on Iran could continue “indefinitely,” noting that the US will rotate naval vessels into and out of the region as needed.
These statements, according to The Wall Street Journal, reflect Washington’s growing reliance on leverage and blockade tools due to the hazards tied to resuming direct military operations against Tehran.
Speaking on the continuation of the blockade, Hegseth said, “Indefinitely the United States Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we’ll rotate ships in and out,” signaling sustained military and economic pressure on Iran in the coming phase.
Strait of Hormuz Constrains Washington’s Options
The newspaper notes that the consequences of closing the Strait of Hormuz complicate US calculations, particularly with growing concerns over a widening confrontation that could spill over into global shipping, energy markets, and regional US allies.
According to the report, continuing the war under current conditions threatens to impose additional burdens on the US, while the administration seeks to avoid scenarios that exacerbate the conflict and shut down more maritime corridors to American forces and their allies.
Mounting Pressure on the US Navy
The Wall Street Journal warned that sustaining the blockade for an extended period could intensify operational strain on US Navy ships and sailors, who are operating at a high tempo with limited downtime.
The report highlighted that US naval forces are already grappling with psychological and operational impacts tied to combat operations, including reported cases of severe trauma and suicides stemming from active deployments.
Washington Faces a Tough Dilemma
The ongoing standoff leaves the Trump administration facing a complex equation: keeping up the pressure on Iran without getting dragged into a broader war, even as the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the high cost of naval deployments place further constraints on US military options.
