Trump says agreement with Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz ‘could be soon’

Donald Trump has indicated that an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached soon, though recent developments show a shift in U.S. strategy. While Trump previously signaled that a deal to end the war was close and that the conflict cannot go much longer, he now describes current diplomatic efforts as 'low-keying it.' According to reports from USA Today and ABC News, Trump characterized the current state of diplomacy as 'only semi-negotiating' and 'half-hearted.' This follows a period where U.S. officials expressed expectation for a deal between Iran and Oman regarding the strait. Coverage from CNN, Fox News, and CNBC emphasizes a transition toward maximizing economic pain to squeeze the Iranian regime. Fox News reports that Trump is betting on economic pressure and the regime's own internal failures to deepen the crisis. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times notes that Trump has eased off military strikes, betting that sanctions will be the primary mechanism to force the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

This shift in approach comes as CNBC reports that Iran has hardened its stance regarding the waterway, and The Independent reports that Tehran is demanding compensation as a condition for reopening the strait. Contextual reports from NPR highlight a significant point of contention: Iran has stated that an agreement with Oman for the Strait of Hormuz would prohibit the passage of Israeli and U.S. vessels. This creates a diplomatic deadlock that PBS, the Baltimore Sun, and statesman.com suggest may require a compromise from Trump to resolve. The current tensions are framed by a war that Trump has acknowledged cannot continue indefinitely, yet the transition from military action to economic warfare indicates a calculated attempt to leverage Iran's mounting economic distress to achieve maritime goals. Future developments will depend on whether the economic pressure mentioned by CNN and Al Jazeera leads to a breakthrough or further escalation.

Observers are watching to see if the 'semi-negotiating' phase leads to the deal anticipated by U.S. officials mentioned by Reuters and The Times of Israel. Additionally, the swearing-in of Todd Blanche, as reported by The Hill, occurs alongside these shifts in foreign policy. The central question remains whether Iran will drop its demands for compensation and the exclusion of specific national vessels in exchange for sanctions relief.