The Hormuz Strait Crisis: Washington Faces Two Options

The crisis in the Hormuz Strait poses a significant dilemma for the US administration. The US must choose between accepting a 10-day ceasefire proposed by Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, and Oman, or undertaking a large-scale military operation in coordination with Israel. The most contentious issue is Iran's right to collect 'transit fees' from ships passing through the strait.The US and Israel see only two realistic scenarios to resolve the crisis. The first scenario involves a diplomatic roadmap. The parties will agree to a 10-day ceasefire, and during this time, maritime traffic will be opened bilaterally. Iran will halt its attacks on southern routes, while the US will lift its blockade on northern routes.The second scenario relies solely on military options. The Israeli army is on high alert for a coordinated air campaign that could be launched 'within a few days'. Iran has acknowledged the proposals of the mediators, but emphasizes its intention to 'crush the source of American aggression'.The US President's choice ultimately hinges on whether to accept Iran's inevitable presence in the Hormuz Strait through an international agreement or to try to change the situation using force, risking a comprehensive war with unpredictable consequences.