Wall Street Journal Reveals Trump's Ignoring of Generals' Warnings About the "Hormuz Trap"

SadaNews - The Wall Street Journal has revealed that the war launched by U.S. President Donald Trump against Iran was not merely a military confrontation but a "political gamble" that ignored the warnings from military generals. It was shown that Trump was aware of the dangers posed by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz before he made the decision for war.

It pointed out that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Keen explicitly warned Trump that an attack might push Tehran to use mines and drones to disrupt the world's most vital shipping corridor.

The American newspaper confirmed that Trump acknowledged the risks; nevertheless, he proceeded with making the most significant foreign policy decision during his two presidential terms.

Trump informed his team that Tehran was likely to surrender before closing the strait, and even if Iran attempted to do so, the U.S. military could handle the situation.

Billions Depletion Haunting Washington

But the winds did not favor Washington, as two weeks after the first spark ignited, Tehran proved that the Strait of Hormuz was its winning and most painful card, as Iranian leaders refused to back down, and the Strait of Hormuz emerged as Tehran's strongest leverage point.

Iran prevented tankers from crossing the strait and attacked shipping vessels, leading to a sharp rise in oil prices and an energy shock resonating throughout the world. Meanwhile, American forces targeted mine-laying ships and Iranian factories, attempting to prevent the country from filling the waterway with explosives.

Regarding losses, the newspaper stated that the American operations were costing billions of dollars weekly. On a broader scale, the threat of a protracted and expanded war jeopardizes the American economy, raising warnings of "stagflation," a predicament of stagnant growth coupled with high inflation.

Trump's Bets on "Military Superiority"

Trump's logic for war was rooted in a deep confidence in the American military's ability to achieve a swift and decisive victory, according to administration officials and others familiar with the matter.

Trump's confidence in General Keen was bolstered by the successful American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites last year and the raid launched in January that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to the paper.

The White House stated that Trump understood the risks of waging war, but he was determined to eliminate the national security threat posed by Iran.

Before he approved the operation, he and his advisors discussed options for imposing the reopening of the strait and using the U.S. Navy to escort tankers through the waterway.

With the strait nearly closed, the Pentagon is concerned that any U.S. warships escorting the tankers would be targets unless the United States destroys the Iranian ships and coastal defense weapons, including drones and missiles.

Mini War Cabinet

Trump's critics agree that the closure of the strait and the resulting economic disruption reflect a lack of planning and caution in the weeks preceding the war.

Senator Chris Murphy stated: "They did not have a plan to address the crisis in the strait; the fact that these men did not have a pre-existing plan, and still have no plan a week into the war was quite shocking."

The newspaper pointed out that preparations for war typically involve weeks or months of secret deliberations; however, the decision for the American war on Iran was made by a small group that included Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

This approach, according to observers, led to the marginalization of the opinions of diplomats and experts, which reduced the volume of advice, alternatives, and ideas available to Trump.

Stirring the Hornet's Nest

For his part, the new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, appointed after his father, pledged to keep ships away from the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran remains firmly in control, unlikely to fall anytime soon, according to U.S. and Israeli intelligence assessments.

In this context, Karim Sajadpour, an Iranian affairs specialist, described Trump’s decision to go to war against Iran as an attempt to "kick the hornet's nest violently but the kick failed to destroy it."

In the United States, the volatility in gas prices and the oil market has led to the largest-ever drawdown from global strategic reserves, sparking outrage among oil companies.

However, Trump's statements about ending the war are contradictory, as he told reporters this week that the war would end "very soon," indicating that only a few targets remain, only to later say on Friday that the war would end based on his instincts.

Nonetheless, American officials privately state that there are no plans to withdraw troops; instead, more Marines and warships are on their way to the region.