US President Donald Trump has told his advisers that he wants to end the military operation against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed to shipping, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.
According to the newspaper, US officials have concluded that restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would delay the six-week operation against Iran.
The American leader, the newspaper reports, has decided that Washington must achieve its main goals, namely suppressing the Iranian fleet and destroying its missile stockpile, then limit military action and seek diplomatic means to resume shipping with Tehran.
If diplomacy If the US fails, it will pressure Europe and the Gulf states to lead efforts to reopen the strait.
The US-Israeli operation against Iran has been going on for a month. During this time, the two sides have been exchanging blows. The escalation of the conflict has led to the almost complete shutdown of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and liquefied natural gas supplies from Arab countries.
On Thursday, Donald Trump announced that, at Tehran's request, he had ordered a halt to attacks on Iranian energy facilities until April 6.
A day earlier, The New York Times reported that the US had presented Iran with a 15-point plan to resolve the conflict. They include abandoning Tehran's nuclear program and supporting intermediaries in other countries, opening the Strait of Hormuz, and limiting the number and range of missiles. In return, Washington offered sanctions relief and assistance in developing civilian nuclear energy, particularly at the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
As reported by Press TV, Tehran did not accept the plan and set its own conditions.