Trump considers "winding down" Iran war without opening Hormuz Strait

President Trump said Friday he is considering "winding down" the war with Iran while leaving the Strait of Hormuz crisis to other nations, writing on Truth Social that the U.S. would help allies "if asked" but shouldn't need to once Iran's threat is "eradicated." Trump cited degrading Iran's missile capability, eliminating its navy and air force, preventing nuclear weapons development, and protecting Middle Eastern allies as near-complete military objectives. The move signals a potential exit from a conflict that has trapped him between wanting to end the war by late March and needing to break Iran's chokehold on Gulf oil shipping without risking escalation. The White House has discussed options including seizing Kharg Island to force the strait's reopening, but Trump's latest comments suggest he may abandon that effort despite the economic fallout for global oil markets. Trump has sent contradictory signals throughout the conflict, so analysts view this partly as pressure on allies to act rather than a definitive commitment to withdraw.