9 July 2026

Retired general: US has ‘got to stop’ Iran from maintaining control of Strait of Hormuz

The Hill  |  Ryan Mancini

Retired U.S. Army General Jack Keane warned on July 5, 2026, that the United States must prevent Iran from maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz to avoid a return to major combat operations. He stated that further Iranian attacks on shipping vessels failing to follow its military's rules will trigger limited retaliatory strikes or full-scale warfare.

These tensions persist despite Washington and Tehran recently signing a memorandum of understanding to resume safe passage through the strategic waterway. Although both nations previously agreed to a temporary standing down to allow negotiations, the Iranian joint military command has renewed threats of a forceful response against non-compliant oil tankers. The retired general emphasized that the Trump administration's core diplomatic objectives remain unfulfilled, warning that persistent maritime disruptions will ultimately exhaust peaceful options and force a decisive military confrontation to secure these vital international shipping lanes.

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