New Delhi: US President Donald Trump may be willing to abandon the pursuit of a formal nuclear agreement with Iran if Tehran agrees to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report citing US officials.
The reported shift would mark a significant change in Washington’s approach to the conflict. Instead of securing a comprehensive nuclear agreement before ending military operations, the Trump administration could consider restoring commercial shipping through the strategic waterway sufficient grounds for extending the ceasefire and bringing the campaign to an end.
Iran, however, has set several conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has demanded compensation for damage caused during the conflict, an end to the US naval blockade, the withdrawal of American forces from the region, the removal of sanctions and access to frozen Iranian assets.
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a major source of leverage for Iran. The narrow maritime passage between Iran and Oman is a critical route for global energy supplies, with a significant share of crude oil and natural gas shipments passing through it during normal conditions.
Tensions have remained high as the United States maintains a substantial naval presence in the region. US Central Command has said more than 20 American warships are deployed across the Middle East and that dozens of commercial vessels have been redirected since enforcement of the blockade began.
Iran has indicated that it is working on arrangements for alternative shipping lanes through the strait, but maintains that broader US demands must be addressed before normal commercial traffic can resume.
Direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran have not resumed, with communication reportedly taking place through intermediaries. Trump has described the current engagement as limited, while Iran continues to demand an end to military pressure and economic restrictions.
The situation has also created political pressure in the United States, where fuel prices remain elevated and the administration faces growing scrutiny over the costs and objectives of the military campaign.
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