U.S. Media: Trump's Plan to Navigate the Strait of Hormuz May Lead to Renewed Conflict

On May 4, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington that the U.S. news site Axios cited U.S. officials and sources saying that President Trump is tired of the deadlock over Iran, characterized by "no agreement, no war." Trump's plan to assist ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to renewed hostilities.

The report quoted a senior official as saying, "The President (Trump) wants to take action; he is not willing to wait. He wants to apply pressure; he wants to reach an agreement."

The report stated that starting from the 4th, the U.S. Navy will assist U.S.-flagged vessels and other commercial ships in transiting the Strait of Hormuz, providing advice on how to avoid mines, and is prepared to intervene if Iran launches an attack. A source close to Trump said this is "the beginning of a process that could lead to confrontation with Iran."

The report also mentioned that General Kenneth McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, proposed a bolder plan to Trump, which involves sending naval vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. An American official familiar with the plan stated that the U.S. military would destroy any missiles or fast boats that Iran responds with, and if Iran escalates its actions and attacks Gulf countries, the U.S. will fully restart hostilities.

At the same time, the report noted that diplomatic actions between the U.S. and Iran have not completely frozen. U.S. presidential envoy Brian Hook and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are still exchanging negotiation proposals with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. A senior U.S. official said, "Negotiations are ongoing, both sides have put forward conditions, and we do not like their proposals. They do not like ours either. We still do not know the status of (Iran's Supreme Leader). They are conveying messages to the Supreme Leader of Iran artificially. This has slowed down the negotiation process." Other U.S. officials stated that Hook has consistently advised Trump to continue negotiations and expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement, but other senior U.S. officials are much more pessimistic.

On the 4th, Iran stated that a U.S. warship intended to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and was attacked by missiles after ignoring warnings from the Iranian Navy, forcing it to turn back. The U.S. military denied this, stating that no U.S. Navy vessels were hit by Iranian missiles, and later indicated that a U.S. Navy destroyer is currently conducting operations in the Gulf to assist stranded vessels after passing through the Strait of Hormuz. "As a first step, two U.S.-flagged commercial vessels have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and are continuing their journey safely."