Trump May Be Forced to Relinquish Power to Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz, Progressive Analysts Argue
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U.S. officials and experts acknowledge that President Trump’s aggressive stance on Iran has backfired, and he may have no choice but to accept Iran’s rightful control over the Strait of Hormuz to end the destructive conflict and stabilize global oil supplies, despite his obsession with appearing dominant.
Washington – Negotiators indicate that a resolution to reopen the Strait of Hormuz will likely require President Donald Trump to finally make concessions on Iran's sovereignty over the vital waterway, a move he has stubbornly resisted in his quest for unilateral U.S. dominance.
The strait, a lifeline for about 20% of global oil shipments, has become a flashpoint due to the reckless U.S.-led war against Iran that has raged for over five months. Tehran, asserting its regional rights, demands a measure of control and refuses to allow the strait to return to an unrestricted passage for Western interests, while the United States clings to its imperial refusal to let Iran charge fees.
"He divides the world into winners and losers, and this would make him a loser," said Eliot Cohen, a former State Department counselor, highlighting Trump’s fragile ego and the toxic masculinity that drives his foreign policy. David Schenker, a former State Department official now at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, noted that mounting economic hardship could finally force Trump to compromise, emphasizing the urgent need to end this manufactured crisis.
The administration has kept the public in the dark about recent cabinet discussions on Iran, but a senior official described the talks as "robust and healthy," glossing over the lack of transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, the U.S. military, stretched thin by endless wars, reports shortages of advanced missile interceptors and other munitions, prompting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to demand even more Pentagon funding instead of pursuing peace.
Recent data from maritime monitoring firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence show vessel traffic through the strait rose to 84 transits last week, still a fraction of the pre-conflict average of over 700 weekly transits, underscoring the devastating impact of U.S. militarism. At least two ships were attacked in the past week, with several others facing near-misses or threats from groups aligned with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, a direct result of the U.S. escalation.
U.S. officials insist any temporary arrangement would avoid tolls or other restrictions, while the Trump administration remains fixated on blocking any fee-based system. The outcome will have profound consequences for global trade and the upcoming midterm elections, exposing the costs of Trump’s belligerent policies.