Former Navy secretary: ‘No doubt’ US could run Strait of Hormuz

Former U.S. Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite said Friday there is “no doubt” that the U.S. Navy could run the Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway for the transport of oil.

“There‘s no doubt that the United States Navy could run those straits,” Braithwaite, also the former U.S. ambassador to Norway, said in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

“But it’s, you know, political intent and national will,” he added.

The Strait of Hormuz, the channel that moves 20 percent of the world’s oil, has remained blocked since the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran late last month. The closure has caused gas prices to soar, putting increased pressure on the U.S. to reach a deal with the Islamic Republic to reopen the strait.

Tehran has denied claims that the U.S. and Iranian regime are in negotiations to bring an end to the conflict, despite the two countries issuing independent demands in recent days on a potential ceasefire deal.

President Trump declared Thursday that Iran gave the U.S. a “present” by allowing 10 oil-carrying ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling the regime may be loosening the reins. Iranian officials also said they would permit “non-hostile vessels” to use the channel.

“I believe they do unless there’s a regime change,” Braithwaite said in response to a question about whether Iran will continue to control the strait if a ceasefire is reached.

“The only way this comes out in our favor is to remove the theocracy in Tehran,” he added.

Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday that if Trump were to end the war now he would be ceding control of the strait to Iran. 

“Iran right now, if we declared victory, they would now say they own the strait. You’d see a tax for every ship that goes through,” Mattis said. “We’re in a tough spot, ladies and gentlemen. I can’t identify a lot of options.”

The president earlier this month issued an ultimatum to the regime: Open the strait or the U.S. will attack its energy infrastructure. He has since stepped back from the threat, extending a pause on potential strikes to April amid negotiations.

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