The CNN report the other day that the administration didn’t properly plan for a closure of the Strait of Hormuz has come in for heavy criticism. My guess has been that both sides in the debate over the piece have been talking past to each other — yes, the administration obviously knew that the Iranians could close the strait, but it didn’t necessarily think they would close the strait.

The CNN report was clearly dependent on Democratic sourcing for what the administration has been saying in briefings. This Wall Street Journal report seems better sourced and rings true to me:

Before the U.S. went to war, Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told President Trump that an American attack could prompt Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz. Caine said in several briefings that U.S. officials had long believed Iran would deploy mines, drones and missiles to close the world’s most vital shipping lane, according to people with knowledge of the discussions. Trump acknowledged the risk, these people said, but moved forward with the most consequential foreign-policy decision of his two presidencies. He told his team that........

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