The Fight Is Now Over Hormuz, US and Israeli Officials Say

The United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East as President Trump issues a new warning that Iran’s power plants could be targeted. The developments are raising expectations among U.S. and Israeli officials that the conflict could expand into a struggle over control of the Strait of Hormuz and nearby energy infrastructure.

Officials now view reopening the strategic waterway—through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas normally passes—as the primary military objective, according to reporting by the Washington Post. Earlier hopes that the campaign might topple Iran’s leadership or permanently halt its nuclear ambitions have taken a back seat to restoring traffic through the strait.

Iran has largely stopped tanker movement through Hormuz using missiles, small boats, and sea mines, even as U.S. forces have carried out sustained strikes on launch sites and naval assets. In response, the United States is deploying about 4,500 sailors and Marines, including an infantry battalion equipped with helicopters, F-35 fighter jets, and armored landing craft. The deployment of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit has also been accelerated.

Israeli officials say the buildup suggests preparations for an operation focused on securing the strait and possibly capturing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal. One Israeli official told the Post that the Marines being sent are intended for a serious mission, not simply a symbolic presence.

Tehran has warned that any attacks on its oil and gas facilities would trigger retaliation against energy, information technology, and desalination sites connected to the United States across the Persian Gulf.

President Trump is weighing several options to reopen the strait. While his aides describe the threat against Iran’s power plants as part of a tough strategy designed to pressure Tehran, Democratic lawmakers argue it reflects a miscalculation about how difficult the conflict would be to resolve.

Senator Ed Markey criticized the approach, saying the president does not have a clear plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and warning that striking civilian power plants would amount to a war crime. Senator Chris Murphy also criticized the strategy, saying the administration appears to be losing control of the conflict.