The US President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States is nearing the conclusion of its military objectives against Iran, hinting at a potential scaling back of operations while calling on international partners to shoulder the burden of policing the Strait of Hormuz.
In a series of posts on Truth Social this Friday, the former president detailed what he characterised as significant military breakthroughs. He claimed that the US is “very close” to fulfilling its goals and is now considering winding down its efforts against what he described as Iran’s “terrorist regime.” According to Trump, American forces have successfully dismantled Iran’s military infrastructure, including its missile capabilities, defence industrial base, navy, and air force. He further pledged that the US would remain committed to ensuring Tehran never develops a nuclear weapon.
Beyond the degradation of Iran’s military, Trump underscored the protection of regional allies, specifically mentioning Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait. However, the most striking shift in his rhetoric was the demand for other nations to take responsibility for the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that since the United States does not rely on the waterway, the countries that do must take over its guarding and policing.
Trump noted that while the US could offer assistance if requested, it should ideally be unnecessary once the Iranian threat has been fully neutralised. He dismissed the difficulty of the task, describing the securing of the vital shipping lane as an “easy military operation” for the nations involved.
The comments indicate that Washington might be looking to de-escalate its direct involvement, following weeks of heightened military activity. Even with tensions remains high and global energy supplies at risk, the strategy appears to be one of maintaining regional dominance through pressure rather than permanent frontline engagement. By pushing for a shift in maritime security, Trump is reinforcing a broader policy of expecting allies and global powers to pay for and manage the routes most critical to their own economies.
