Oil, strait of Hormuz and empty threats: a timeline of Trump’s flip-flopping on the Iran war

April 4, 2026

TL;DR

Initial objectives for Operation Epic Fury included destroying Iran's missiles, navy, and preventing a nuclear weapon.
Trump's statements on the war's purpose shifted, from claiming it wasn't about oil to suggesting the US should 'take the oil & make a fortune'.
He oscillated between stating the war was nearly over and threatening escalating infrastructure strikes.
Statements about reopening the Strait of Hormuz also varied, from expecting other nations to do it to asserting the US could 'easily' do it.
Trump claimed Iran had agreed to most US demands via Pakistan and had shipped oil as a show of good faith, which Iran's parliament speaker denied.
He threatened to destroy Iran's power plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island if a deal wasn't reached and the Strait of Hormuz wasn't reopened.
Trump suggested a withdrawal from Iran within two to three weeks, implying other countries would then secure the Strait of Hormuz.
He criticized European allies like the UK for not being more involved in securing the strait.
Trump claimed Iran's new regime requested a ceasefire, a claim Iran's foreign ministry denied.
He threatened to send Iran 'back to the Stone Ages' through infrastructure strikes.
Following a US-Israeli airstrike on a bridge, Trump indicated 'Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!'.
Later, he posted about potentially opening the Strait of Hormuz, taking oil, and making a fortune, contradicting his earlier claims that the war was not about oil.

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