WASHINGTON, AUG 12: A US military intelligence assessment has concluded that Iran’s strategic priority has shifted from its nuclear program to the Strait of Hormuz, NBC News reported on Tuesday, citing two US officials familiar with the assessment.
The officials said the assessment found that Tehran now views the strait as a stronger and more effective source of leverage than its nuclear program, particularly after strikes targeted its nuclear facilities during earlier stages of the conflict.
Military officials have also warned President Donald Trump that any US operation to seize the strait would be lengthy, costly and deadly, with no guarantee of success, according to the report.
Three European officials and two Arab Gulf officials agreed with the assessment, saying an attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by military force would be a lengthy and risky operation that could expose US warships to cruise missile or drone attacks, push oil prices even higher and offer no guarantee of a clear victory, NBC News reported.
The Trump administration pushed back on the assessment, saying the Strait of Hormuz was “under the complete control of the US Navy” and that Washington’s blockade meant nothing would reach Iran unless the US allowed it, according to NBC News. An administration official added that the strait is an international waterway that no party controls and said any temporary routes would operate without approvals, permissions, tolls or other charges.
