Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Chellaney said Trump has “openly” articulated his real objective, noting that the US President has linked the war to his vision of global energy dominance. Quoting Trump’s own words, Chellaney said, “To the victor belong the spoils,” adding that “he is openly stating that his main objective is control over Iran’s vast energy wealth”.
The comments come on day 39 of the war, with less than 10 hours to go before Trump’s deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz expires. In a dramatic post, Trump warned that “a whole civilisation will die tonight”, even as reports suggest that US forces have struck around 50 military targets on Kharg Island, a critical hub for Iran’s oil infrastructure.
Chellaney argued that ongoing diplomatic signals and deadlines are largely a distraction from military realities on the ground. “Don’t go by these deadlines or back-channel talks. They distract from what is happening on the ground — which is the build-up of American forces for a possible ground phase,” he said, pointing to the deployment of infantry, airborne units and Marines to the Gulf. He added that Washington’s earlier claim that air power alone could achieve its objectives has become “unsustainable”, especially after Iran reportedly shot down US aircraft.
He further described Trump’s conduct as “extraordinary”, warning that the US President’s repeated threats could violate international law. “If there were a war crimes tribunal… Trump would be convicted by his own words,” Chellaney said.
However, Former Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar offered a more cautious assessment, suggesting that Trump’s rhetoric is primarily aimed at forcing Iran back to the negotiating table. “It is meant to apply even greater pressure and try to force Iran to come to the negotiating table,” he said, adding that recent strikes on Kharg Island appear to have targeted military assets rather than core oil infrastructure.
Sajjanhar also warned against reading the current escalation as a precursor to a ground invasion. “It would be extremely unwise for the US to deploy ground troops,” he said, noting that several of Washington’s assumptions — including expectations of a quick capitulation by Iran — have not materialised.
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Highlighting the broader regional risks, Sajjanhar pointed to intensified Iranian strikes across the Gulf and growing threats to energy infrastructure, which could have long-term implications for global oil supply. At the same time, he maintained that a diplomatic window remains open, with several elements of Iran’s reported demands still negotiable.
As tensions rise around the Strait of Hormuz and key energy hubs, the conflict is increasingly being seen not just as a geopolitical flashpoint but as a battle with significant implications for global energy markets and supply chains.
