‘Trump could reopen Hormuz if he dared, I’ve done it’: a rear admiral speaks out

The focus of the US-Iran war rests once again on the Strait of Hormuz, is there any way to get it open again?  

Since Donald Trump cancelled Project Freedom, Iran’s chokehold on the vital waterway is as tight as ever. But James Parkin has some ideas. The former Royal Navy rear admiral was in charge of the task force that broke the last attempted IRGC shut down in 2019, and tells Roland Oliphant that the US could do it again - if it really wanted to. 

He also explains what it is like fighting the fanatical but talented sailors of the IRGC navy, and why he thinks their claims to have mined the Strait are probably lies. 

Plus, The Telegraph’s foreign correspondent Akhtar Makoii gives the view from Iran amid growing expectations of an imminent peace deal today, and Venetia Rainey looks at why Israel has suddenly bombed Beirut despite a ceasefire. They also discuss the latest news of extensive damage to American bases in the Gulf and the long-term implications. 

Highlights 

• ‘Trump could reopen Hormuz if he dared, I’ve done it’
• Retired Royal Navy rear admiral James Parkin speaks out

CONTRIBUTORS:

Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant

Venetia Rainey, co-host @venetiarainey

Akhtar Makoii, foreign correspondent @akhtar_makoii

James Parkin, retired Royal Navy rear admiral 

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Connor Stringer: How Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ fell apart in one day

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/05/06/us-iran-trump-military-diplomacy-project-freedom/

Henry Bodkin: US and Iran ‘close’ to deal to end war

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/06/us-iran-close-deal-end-war-israel-middle-east-hormuz-strait/

Akhtar Makoii: Trump and Mojtaba Khamenei have more in common than they realise

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/06/trump-and-mojtaba-khamenei-have-more-in-common-they-realise/

Washington Post: Iran has hit far more U.S. military assets than reported, satellite images show

https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2026/05/06/iran-us-bases-satellite-images/

NBC: Trump’s abrupt U-turn on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz came after backlash from allies

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trumps-abrupt-u-turn-plan-re-open-strait-hormuz-came-backlash-allies-rcna343845

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Executive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells

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