Intelligence agencies estimate that fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz could take several weeks, or even months. President Donald Trump and his administration increasingly believe that Iran cannot commit to reopening the vital oil route before declaring “mission accomplished” in the ongoing conflict, according to sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to CNN.
Senior White House officials acknowledge that restoring this Tehran-controlled oil route is a critical objective—not only to end the conflict but also to curb soaring oil prices. Rising fuel costs have become a major political risk for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections in November.
However, under Trump’s four-to-six-week timeline for ending the conflict, administration leaders admit privately that they cannot simultaneously achieve military objectives and guarantee the reopening of the strait within that period. Analysts warn that returning the passage to full operational status could take weeks or even months. Notably, about 20% of the world’s oil flows through this waterway.
Trump has publicly and privately stated that other nations should shoulder a significant portion of this responsibility. He argues that many European countries rely heavily on the strait for their oil supplies, so reopening it should be their duty as well. On Tuesday evening in the Oval Office, Trump said, “What happens in the strait is not directly our problem.” He expressed confidence that the conflict would end in two to three weeks and predicted that U.S. gas prices would drop quickly thereafter.
Earlier, Trump wrote on social media, “Show courage, go to the strait, and take control. You must learn to fight for yourselves; the U.S. will no longer be there to help, just as you were not there for us.” He specifically referenced the United Kingdom in this message.
In recent weeks, Trump has pressured allied nations to deploy their naval forces to protect oil tankers. Yet, no country has agreed to do so during the conflict, leading to growing frustration within the administration. Many foreign leaders perceive that Trump is attempting to shift a self-created problem onto others while pushing to end the conflict.
European leaders—who were not consulted prior to U.S. strikes on Iran—have been reluctant to become directly involved during the hostilities. Some countries have pledged future assistance for securing the strait, but they have not provided a specific timeline.
Trump believes that reopening the strait will be easier once hostilities with Iran conclude. On Tuesday, U.S. oil prices reached an average of $4.02 per gallon for the first time since 2022. The White House, however, dismissed this as a temporary issue. In an interview with CBS News, Trump stated, “Prices will fall once the conflict ends or we leave the region.”
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told CNN that the administration has taken measures to reduce energy costs, including easing some sanctions on Russian oil and providing insurance for tankers. She added, “The President is confident the strait will reopen very soon.”
Within the administration, many officials believe Trump’s tough rhetoric toward European nations is not just a reflection of his personal view but also a deliberate political strategy. One official said, “It’s not only America’s problem—stating it this way is both accurate and smart politics, presenting it as a shared challenge.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated, “The Strait of Hormuz is not solely America’s problem. President Trump has taken leadership from the start, but other nations need to focus as well. They must learn to defend themselves.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the U.S. is still working to form an international coalition to secure the strait, describing it as a long-term objective. He discussed the matter with G7 countries in France last Friday and emphasized that the United States would serve only in a supporting role, not as the lead.
Meanwhile, China and Pakistan have proposed a five-point plan to restore peace in the region. In a joint statement on Tuesday, they urged all parties to ensure the safety of stranded ships and crews and to swiftly restore the safe passage of commercial vessels through the strait.
Trump administration unable to promise to open Hormuz before Iran ends war
