President Donald Trump’s order for American forces to “shoot and kill” Iranian small boats in the Strait of Hormuz will not end the war with Iran. It will only make sure the conflict continues longer, with greater danger and no real solution in sight.
In his Truth Social post on Thursday morning, Trump directed the U.S. military to take lethal action against Iranian vessels and intensify mine-clearing operations in this vital waterway. The very next day, American forces seized another tanker, the Majestic X, in the Indian Ocean on suspicion of carrying smuggled Iranian oil.
This came immediately after Iran attacked three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz and captured two of them. These back-and-forth strikes have now choked off nearly all oil exports through the Strait — a passage that carries 20 percent of the world’s traded oil in peacetime.
At the same time, Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire by three more weeks after talks at the White House. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter called it a “historic moment,” while Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad thanked Trump for helping “make Lebanon great again.”
U.S. envoy Mike Huckabee compared Hezbollah to a troublesome neighbourhood kid throwing rocks at windows, suggesting that if the kid stops, the neighbours can live in peace.
Trump was blunt: Iran must completely stop funding Hezbollah and other proxy groups. He called it a “must” for any deal to end the war with Iran.
These diplomatic moves on the Israel-Lebanon track may look positive on the surface. But they do nothing to resolve the real war between the United States and Iran. The fighting in the Strait of Hormuz — through mines, ship attacks, and tanker seizures — continues without pause. Demanding that Iran abandon its proxy network entirely is a hard demand that Tehran has never accepted and will not accept easily under pressure.
The hard truth is simple: Trump’s mix of gunboat actions in the Gulf and limited ceasefires elsewhere will not bring this war with Iran to an end. It will only deepen the deadlock. The cycle of escalation is hardening both sides, pushing up global oil prices, and raising the risk of a bigger clash. Without addressing the deep mistrust and Iran’s strategic goals, these steps risk turning the current standoff into a long and costly war of attrition.
Strong words and military pressure may feel satisfying in the moment, but they have rarely delivered lasting peace in the Middle East. As things stand, the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, tensions remain high, and the U.S.-Iran war shows no sign of ending.
Naorem Mohen is the Editor of Signpost News. Explore his views and opinion on X: @laimacha.
Naorem Mohen
View More PostsNaorem Mohen is the Editor of Signpost News. Explore his views and opinion on X: @laimacha.
