WSJ: Trump Is About To Resume Strikes On Iran
- 13.04.2026, 10:16
After inconclusive talks in Islamabad.
US President Donald Trump is considering renewing limited strikes against Iran in addition to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, knowledgeable sources told The Wall Street Journal. They said this is one scenario being discussed at the White House after U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad on April 11 ended inconclusively. Another option is the resumption of full-scale strikes on Iran. However, as the publication's sources noted, this scenario is less likely due to the risk of further destabilization of the Middle East and Trump's unwillingness to prolong the military conflict.
Also, according to WSJ, during the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump announced the day before, the US is going to put pressure on allies to take over the safety of ships passing through the sea route. At the same time, the publication's sources emphasized that Trump remains committed to a diplomatic solution to the conflict, despite possible military action. White House officials said that the president is "considering all additional options" to pressure Iran.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced earlier that the US military will start blocking all Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman on April 13. Ships from all countries entering and leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas will fall under the restrictions. However, ships that do not belong to or return from Iran will be able to pass freely through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained the decision to block the sea lane by saying that the US cannot allow Tehran to charge ships for its passage. He also said the U.S. military would begin clearing the water route of mines and respond to any attacks from Iran. Tehran, for its part, said U.S. attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz were "doomed to failure" and promised to use the army's "untapped capabilities" to counter it.
On April 8, Trump announced a two-week truce on the condition that Tehran open the strait, but that did not happen. At U.S.-Iranian talks in Islamabad on April 11, the Iranian delegation made it clear that the strait would be closed until the sides reached an agreement to end the war. At the same time, Washington and Tehran failed to reach an agreement on ending the war. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who led the U.S. delegation, called it "bad news" for Iran rather than the United States. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the talks focused on the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear program, reparations and lifting sanctions.