A new U.S. military intelligence assessment has concluded that Iran’s strategic priority has shifted away from its nuclear program and toward the Strait of Hormuz, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the assessment, NBC News reports.

The assessment represents a significant change in how U.S. officials currently view Tehran’s priorities, placing the strategically vital waterway ahead of the nuclear program that has long dominated concerns surrounding Iran.

The shift comes as U.S. military officials have warned President Donald Trump about the enormous risks involved in attempting to take control of the Strait of Hormuz. Officials have told the president that such an operation would be lengthy, costly and deadly, with no guarantee that the United States would ultimately succeed.

The assessment underscores the growing importance of the Strait of Hormuz in the ongoing confrontation with Iran, as Washington weighs its options and military leaders caution about the potential consequences of trying to seize the critical waterway.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)