White House reporter Kimberly Halkett says Donald Trump appears to be preparing the ground for possible military action in the Strait of Hormuz after suggesting it could be “easily” reopened.

Halkett says Trump is trying to frame any US move as a limited and low-risk operation, despite the possibility of a much wider confrontation with Iran.

According to her assessment, that could mean anything from clearing mines and escorting shipping to striking Iranian vessels seen as threatening tankers moving through the waterway.

She also points to Trump’s remarks about “taking the oil”, saying they imply a further escalation and the possible seizure of oil cargoes. Halkett notes that taking oil intended for civilian use would violate international law.

Halkett says the messaging is also designed to increase pressure on US allies that rely heavily on oil passing through the strait. She names China and South Korea as countries Trump appears to be urging to play a bigger role in keeping the route open.