U.S. ASSESSMENT: Iran's Strategic Priority Shifts From Nuclear Program To Strait Of Hormuz

A U.S. Military intelligence assessment has determined that Iran's strategic focus has shifted from its nuclear program to the Strait of Hormuz, according to two U.S. Officials familiar with the evaluation. The conclusion marks a notable change in how American officials assess Tehran's current priorities, elevating the strategically critical waterway above the nuclear program that has long been central to U.S. Concerns about Iran. The finding comes as U.S. Military officials have cautioned President Donald Trump about significant risks tied to any attempt to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz. These officials have advised the president that such an operation would be protracted, expensive, and costly in lives, with no assurance of success for the United States. The assessment reflects the increasing significance of the Strait of Hormuz in the ongoing U.S.-Iran confrontation, as the administration considers its approach and military leaders warn of potential ramifications from trying to take the vital waterway.