## Trump Signals Extended Hormuz Blockade Planning as Iran Rushes Counter-Proposal, Commercial Transit Continues
The Trump administration is preparing contingencies for an extended naval operation blocking the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources familiar with internal deliberations. The president has reportedly briefed senior aides on planning that carries significant strategic and economic risk, signaling potential escalation in ongoing tensions with Tehran.

Iran submitted an initial proposal to Washington that hinges on two conditions: the lifting of the US naval blockade and deferring nuclear negotiations to future talks. The Trump administration has not appeared receptive to this framework. Sources indicate Tehran is developing a revised counter-draft expected within days. Meanwhile, Iranian analysts have publicly articulated a belief that Iran can sustain its position longer than the current US pressure campaign, citing domestic resilience, maintained oil market access through alternative routes, and political calculations tied to US domestic timelines.

Market indicators have reflected this uncertainty, with Polymarket betting showing roughly two-thirds odds that Washington announces a blockade lift by May 31, 2026. Notably, at least one crude-laden Japanese tanker departed a Saudi port and successfully transited the Strait without incident, suggesting the waterway remains open to commercial traffic despite heightened military posturing. The gap between declared US intentions, Iran's counter-position, and actual operational reality on the water continues to define this standoff.
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- **Source**: ZeroHedge
- **Sector**: The Network
- **Tags**: Hormuz Strait, Iran, US Navy, blockade, oil transit
- **Credibility**: unverified
- **Published**: 2026-04-29 02:24:05
- **ID**: 78033
- **URL**: https://whisperx.ai/en/intel/78033