President Donald Trump is reportedly considering ending the war with Iran without a nuclear agreement, contingent on the reopening of the Hormuz Strait. However, negotiations have hit a snag as Iran demands the withdrawal of U.S. troops, sanctions relief, and war reparations.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 9th, citing U.S. officials, that Trump has discussed with his aides in recent weeks the possibility of concluding the war if Iran fully reopens the Hormuz Strait, even without a separate agreement on nuclear issues.
Since April, the U.S. has prioritized preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as a key negotiation goal. However, with little progress in nuclear talks, the focus has shifted to reopening the Hormuz Strait, a critical route for global oil transport.
Mohammad Bagheri, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, has demanded a permanent end to hostilities and the lifting of maritime blockades on Iranian ports as conditions for reopening the Strait.
Additionally, Iran has called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Middle East, complete sanctions relief, the return of frozen assets abroad, war reparations, cessation of threats against Iran, and a halt to military actions against pro-Iranian armed groups in the region, according to the Iranian state news agency IRNA.
There are significant differences between the two sides regarding navigation through the Strait. Iran seeks to restrict U.S. naval vessels' passage and impose tolls on commercial ships. The U.S. views any limitations on shipping or tolls as unacceptable.
WSJ analyzed that Iran is taking a tougher stance in negotiations, believing that Trump is eager to end the war. Gregory Brew, an Iran expert at Eurasia Group, stated, "Iran believes Trump wants to exit the war and is focusing on reopening the Hormuz Strait, which is why they are pushing hard."
Normalizing the Hormuz Strait is a crucial task for Trump ahead of the November midterm elections, especially as Iranian missile and drone attacks have disrupted commercial shipping, leading to rising international oil prices and increased gasoline costs in the U.S.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average gasoline price in the U.S. on the 8th was $4.02 per gallon, up about 27% from $3.16 a year ago. With less than three months until the midterms, Trump faces pressure to lower fuel prices and showcase achievements in ending the war.
The White House maintains that the primary objectives of military operations against Iran have already been achieved. WSJ reported that Trump believes it will be difficult for Iran to restore its nuclear program during his term, given that the U.S. destroyed three major Iranian nuclear facilities last year.
U.S. officials indicated that if Iran's nuclear program remains constrained while commercial shipping in the Hormuz Strait is normalized, Trump may be inclined to extend the current ceasefire. However, Iran's demands for the release of frozen assets remain a significant obstacle to an agreement. WSJ suggested that reaching a deal without releasing some frozen assets would be challenging.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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