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White House Prepares for Prolonged Iran Conflict Over Hormuz

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The White House is preparing for a potential multi-week conflict with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.
  • US officials believe the duration of the conflict depends on Iran's continued attacks on commercial shipping.
  • Recent US strikes and the successful transit of oil tankers have eased concerns about immediate oil price spikes.

The White House is bracing for a prolonged confrontation with Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. officials anticipating a conflict that could span several days to weeks. The ultimate length and intensity of this potential exchange of fire hinge directly on Iran's future actions, particularly whether it persists in targeting commercial vessels within the vital waterway, according to reports citing U.S. officials.

We're going to slap them a bit so they understand we're not f***ing around.

— US officialReferring to recent US strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz.

One official indicated a strategy of "slapping them a bit so they understand we're not f***ing around," referring to recent U.S. strikes on Iranian targets. This approach is reportedly bolstered by the fact that hundreds of oil tankers have navigated the strait successfully in recent weeks. This sustained transit has alleviated administration concerns that a renewed clash would inevitably trigger a sharp increase in oil prices.

Iran saw its leverage in Hormuz slipping as hundreds of ships transited through the southern route close to the Omani coast.

— US officialExplaining the perceived diminishing leverage of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. officials suggested that Iran's leverage in the Strait of Hormuz was diminishing as ship traffic increased along the southern route near the Omani coast. Another source indicated that the current escalation stems from frustration among more hardline elements within Iran's leadership, who feel that a previously agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has yielded no tangible benefits for Tehran. "They started shooting, and we decided it's time to slap them back hard," the official stated, emphasizing a patient but firm approach to achieving desired outcomes.

They started shooting, and we decided it's time to slap them back hard. It's a process. We have patience. If we don't feel we're getting the deal we want, we are not going to do it.

— US officialDescribing the rationale behind the escalating military actions against Iran.

This escalation follows U.S. President Donald Trump's declaration that the MoU with Iran was effectively nullified after overnight strikes. Trump expressed frustration with the negotiation process, stating, "I don't want to deal with them [Iran] anymore. They're scum. They're sick people." The U.S. military confirmed its latest retaliatory strikes against Iran on Thursday morning, as reported by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

To me, I think it's over.

— Donald TrumpStating his belief that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran was nullified.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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