ISLAMABAD: President Donald Trump has told senior advisers he is willing to wind down the US military campaign against Iran without forcing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a major report by The Wall Street Journal.

The revelation marks a notable policy pivot in the ongoing conflict that began on February 28 with joint US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.

Citing administration officials, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump assessed reopening the strategic waterway by force could extend the operation by four to six weeks or more.

Instead, the US president has directed focus on degrading Iran’s naval forces and missile stockpiles in the immediate term.

The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately 20 percent of global oil exports, making it one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iran has effectively disrupted shipping through threats, attacks on merchant vessels, and naval operations, reducing daily transits from a normal 135 vessels to as few as six in recent periods.

Iranian forces have conducted at least 21 confirmed attacks on merchant ships, according to tracking data, with some reports indicating Iranian tankers receiving preferential passage in exchange for fees reportedly reaching two million dollars per vessel.

US officials now appear prepared to accept a temporary Iranian hold over parts of the strait while prioritising other military objectives.

A senior administration figure quoted in the report said Trump explicitly stated that sending forces to open the global passageway risked prolonging the conflict beyond the preferred timeline.

The strategy shift follows earlier warnings from the Pentagon that an Iranian closure of the strait was a high-probability risk, yet Trump proceeded with initial strikes believing Tehran might capitulate quickly.

Recent US operations have targeted Iranian anti-ship missile sites, naval assets, and missile production facilities, with claims of significant degradation in Iran’s capabilities.

Trump has publicly described the effort as crushing Iran’s weapons stockpiles and turning its defence industrial base into rubble, while announcing the near annihilation of its navy.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced that the mission remains laser-focused on eliminating missile and drone production, naval threats, and pathways to nuclear weapons.

Oil markets reacted with volatility to the WSJ disclosure, with prices ticking higher amid uncertainty over the war’s duration and energy supply disruptions.

Global economies face pressure from elevated energy costs, with Gulf states and European nations particularly exposed to prolonged instability.

The Trump administration is now considering shifting responsibility for the strait to European and Gulf leadership through diplomatic channels or a potential naval coalition.

Trump has urged allies, including France, Britain, and even China, to contribute warships or take direct action to secure the route and access their own oil supplies.

Criticism of NATO allies for limited support has surfaced repeatedly, with Trump questioning their commitment and calling for delayed courage in addressing the crisis.

Regional media in Pakistan and the Middle East have amplified these developments, highlighting concerns over energy security and the risk of wider escalation affecting South Asian economies.

Pakistan, reliant on Gulf oil imports, watches the situation closely as any sustained disruption could spike fuel prices and inflation.

Iran has continued retaliatory actions, including strikes on oil tankers near Dubai, underscoring its determination to maintain leverage over the waterway.

Despite the reported flexibility on Hormuz, Trump issued fresh warnings that failure to reach a deal could lead to strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.

The administration maintains that core objectives, including neutralising Iran’s missile threat and preventing nuclear breakout, must be met before full de-escalation.

Analysts note the move reflects a desire for a swift exit while preserving US gains in diminishing Iranian conventional power.

The conflict has already seen over 11,000 targets struck by US forces, according to CENTCOM assessments, with emphasis on air and naval superiority.

As diplomatic backchannels reportedly continue through intermediaries, the coming days are described by officials as potentially decisive.

Whether this signals an imminent ceasefire or merely a tactical pause remains unclear, but the WSJ account suggests Trump seeks to declare mission success on key fronts without indefinite entanglement in the strait.

The development has sparked intense debate in Washington and allied capitals over the balance between military achievements and economic fallout.