The Wall Street Journal reported in June 2020 that then-President Donald Trump was advised by top aides that a military strike on Iran could lead Tehran to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. Despite this warning, the president moved forward with planning for the operation.
The reporting, based on accounts from U.S. officials, detailed that the strike was ordered in retaliation for Iranian-backed militia attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq. The operation was reportedly called off at the last minute, with Trump stating he reconsidered after being told the potential casualty numbers.
The incident highlighted the high-stakes tensions between the U.S. and Iran during the Trump administration. The Strait of Hormuz remains a geopolitical flashpoint, with its closure posing a significant threat to global energy supplies.
