Summary

• Trump reportedly told his aides he's willing to end the war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz

• Iran struck a fully-laden Kuwaiti oil tanker in a Dubai port

• Iran rejects 'excessive, illogical' US demands while Trump mentions 'progress' with a 'more reasonable regime'. Trump again threatens to destroy Iran energy sites and Kharg Island. Hundreds of US Special Forces arrive in region.

• White House seriously considering ground operation to seize Iran's enriched uranium stockpile but also wants Tehran to negotiate handing it over willingly. Bessent: US will 'retake' Hormuz Strait 'over time'.

• Bazan oil refinery in Israel's northern city of Haifa is on fire after a second apparent Iranian missile strike of the war. Trump says US response 'coming shortly'.

• Iran accuses Israel of more 'false flags' - after Kuwait water desalination plant hit.

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Trump Told Aides He's Willing To End War Without Reopening Hormuz; Report

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that President Trump told aides he's willing to end the U.S. military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, administration officials said, likely extending Tehran's firm grip on the waterway and leaving a complex operation to reopen it for a later date.

In recent days, Trump and his aides assessed that a mission to pry open the chokepoint would push the conflict beyond his timeline of four to six weeks.