Israel Believes The U.S. And Iran Won’t Reach a Deal Over The Hormuz Strait, So Trump Will Escalate

Israel believes President Donald Trump will soon be forced to escalate hostilities in Iran as a result of a continued deadlock related to passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a new report.

Israeli media reported that the country’s military had prepared for a major escalation over the weekend. However, the scenario failed to materialize after Trump decided to halt strike around the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Iran has also stopped its military actions as a result.

Axios detailed that Brad Cooper, the commander of the U.S. Military Central Command (CENTCOM), said the current campaign hit its limit of effectiveness.

Cooper claimed that almost two weeks of relentless strikes had significantly degraded Iran’s position around the key waterway, which is seeking to control following the war between the countries.

Elsewhere, the outlet noted that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, also said dwindling stockpiles of interceptors could prevent the U.S. from properly defending its positions and those of its allies.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, however, said Iran is not seeking more talks with the U.S.

Speaking in a press conference on Monday, Baghaei said the country had not asked to resume talks because it is not on the country’s “DNA.”

He went on to say that Tehran still controls the Strait of Hormuz, where it has been targeting ships that do not coordinate passage with its forces. Iran will seek to charge tolls for passage.

In fact, Iranian media outlets said the country turned around six “offending ships” that sought to cross the waterway without authorization.

“As previously announced, the traffic route in the Strait of Hormuz is the route specified by Iran, and other routes are contaminated and have no way out,” a source told local press.

Citing multiple reports, The Times of Israel said that top military officials in the country believe there will be a major escalation in the near future. Kan News noted that the military has continued to send significant forces to Israel, with 90 refuelers arriving over the past weeks.

A senior official said that the “the chances of reaching an agreement between the United States and Iran are virtually nonexistent” and an escalation is “inevitable.”

Other sources told local press that even through Trump prefers negotiations he will eventually have “no choice” but to escalate further.