US President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly underestimated the possibility that Iran would close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in response to US military attacks, CNN reported, citing multiple sources familiar with internal planning discussions.
CNN sources revealed that when planning the ongoing military operation, the Pentagon and the National Security Council did not fully anticipate that Iran would attempt to close the waterway, although contingency plans for such a scenario had long been developed by the US military.
Officials from the US Department of Energy and the Treasury Department were present at some planning meetings before the operation began, but CNN sources said the detailed economic forecasts and interagency analysis that typically shape major decisions were not at the center of the discussions.
Earlier, Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had indicated that closing the strait would remain a pressure tactic, in comments broadcast on Iranian state television.
He said, “Dear warrior brothers! It is the public wish that effective and decisive defense continues. Furthermore, the use of the power to block the Strait of Hormuz must be continued.”
Khamenei said Iran has identified targets it believes are vulnerable to future attacks by the Islamic Republic.
He said, “Studies have been conducted regarding opening additional fronts in areas where the enemy has negligible experience and would be highly vulnerable, and they will be activated if the war situation persists and in accordance with the interests pursued.”
Later, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani said Tehran had no intention of closing the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict, but added that “it is their right to maintain peace and security in this waterway.”
Emir Saeed Iravani also said that Iran respects and is committed to the principles of freedom of navigation under the law of the sea, and added that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is “not the result” of Iran’s actions.
Speaking at a UN meeting, he said, “We are not going to close the Strait of Hormuz, but maintaining peace and security in this waterway is our inherent right, and it is our right.”
He added, “Iran has no option but to exercise its inherent right of self-defense under the UN Charter and international law. Iran fully respects and is committed to the principles of freedom of navigation under the law of the sea. However, the current situation in the area, including the Strait of Hormuz, is not the result of Iran’s legitimate exercise of the right of self-defense.”
In recent days, Iran has tightened restrictions on ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of ongoing attacks between the US and Israel. Iran says ships that do not serve US or Israeli interests can pass through safely.
