US President Donald Trump has indicated he is open to ending the ongoing military campaign against Iran even if the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing administration officials.
The report said Trump conveyed to aides that reopening the critical shipping lane—through which nearly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass—could be handled as a separate and more complex operation at a later stage.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the administration is prioritising diplomatic efforts, with Trump aiming to secure an agreement with Tehran before an April 6 deadline.
Notably, the deadline was extended from an earlier timeline set by the president, which had called on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating regional tensions.
Furthermore, Leavitt said negotiations with Iranian officials are progressing, although she noted a discrepancy between Tehran’s public statements and its private communications with US counterparts.
The developments suggest a potential shift toward de-escalation, even as the closure of the key maritime route continues to disrupt global energy markets and heighten geopolitical uncertainty.
