U.S. officials have told Israel that a potential operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could take several weeks, as tensions sharply escalate with Iran, according to a report.

If Iran refuses to comply with President Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the critical shipping lane, the war may be extended to allow time for the U.S.-led operation.

At the same time, Iran’s military is threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely if the U.S. targets its energy infrastructure, warning the waterway would remain shut until any damaged facilities are rebuilt.

Iran also warned it would target Israeli energy and communications infrastructure, along with “similar companies in the region with U.S. shareholders.”

U.S. officials emphasized that a strategic shift is underway and made clear Washington will not allow Iran to hold the vital waterway — through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil flows — hostage.

“We will use this to make them collapse from within,” U.S. officials reportedly said.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)