Bolton: U.S. withdrawal before resumption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz means victory for Iran
Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton publicly stated on the On Balance program aired by NewsNation: If U.S. forces withdraw from the Middle East theater before the Strait of Hormuz resumes full navigation, it will be a major victory for Iran.
Bolton took aim at his former boss, warning that if Trump ordered a withdrawal before the strait was reopened, Tehran would achieve an epic strategic triumph.
According to the latest update from April 2, 2026, the Strait of Hormuz has now turned into a massive maritime parking lot: approximately 400 vessels of various types are currently stranded in the no-navigation zone, helplessly awaiting instructions from Iranian authorities—hoping for a sign of mercy allowing passage through.
Even Suzanne Maloney, Deputy Chair of the renowned Washington think tank Brookings Institution, could not remain silent. She bluntly stated: "Ending the war without using force to compel Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz would be an irresponsible act by the United States in international affairs." Iran #USA
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861362578386000/
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