US should have seized Strait of Hormuz militarily, retired Israeli general says

Retired Israeli Brigadier General Amir Avivi expressed surprise that the United States did not take military control of the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the emerging US-Iran memorandum of understanding leaves dangerous uncertainty. Avivi believes this uncertainty affects Israel's freedom of action and the future pressure on Tehran.

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As a general, I must say I’m very, very surprised the US didn’t take over militarily the strait.

Avivi questioned the memorandum's premise, stating that if the strait were truly open, a deal to open it would be unnecessary. He suggested that the agreement to release a blockade in exchange for Iran opening the strait implies the waterway is not fully open. "If the strait was open completely, the way it's described, you wouldn’t need this deal at all, because this deal is just about opening the strait," Avivi said.

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If the strait was open completely, the way it's described, you wouldn’t need this deal at all, because this deal is just about opening the strait.

He asserted that a country as powerful as the United States should be able to militarily control the strait and guarantee freedom of shipment. "And it’s not happening. This is not good news," he added. Avivi criticized the current approach, suggesting it signals to Iran, Hezbollah, and other Iranian-backed forces that pressure is easing and Washington is less willing to engage militarily.

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A country as powerful as the United States, he argued, “should be able to control militarily the strait and ensure freedom of shipment in the strait.”

Avivi clarified that he is not advocating for open-ended wars, but rather for a willingness to fight for values and global freedom of shipment. He described the US-Iran document as provisional and limited, not a final agreement that should dictate Israel's military calculations. "It’s a memorandum of understanding. It’s not a binding contract," he stated.

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Now, we cannot be a power if you’re not willing to fight, if you’re not willing to take chances, and if you’re not willing to have casualties.