New Delhi: A state of conflict has persisted between the US and Iran for quite some time, leading to a deteriorating situation and heightened tension across the Middle East. There appears to be no immediate prospect of a peace agreement between the two nations. However, efforts are once again underway to end the hostilities and stabilise the situation.
The intense conflict between the US and Iran could soon come to an end. A report by The Wall Street Journal suggests that the resolution of the conflict will hinge on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz rather than the nuclear deal.
The report notes that while the US initially launched actions to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, the conflict evolved to centre on the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran fully restores the status quo regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Donald Trump might abandon his insistence on a nuclear deal, potentially paving the way for an end to the war.
The Strait of Hormuz as the Basis for an Agreement
According to reports, US President Donald Trump is no longer focused on the nuclear deal; instead, his priority has shifted to ending military operations in the Gulf region. He aims to secure a ceasefire and restore the Strait of Hormuz, with a special team actively engaged in negotiations with Iran.
Donald Trump and his team are positioning the Strait of Hormuz as the foundation for an agreement with Iran. Once finalised, Trump intends to end the conflict, effectively setting aside the goal of a nuclear deal. Meanwhile, Iran has outlined specific conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
These conditions include US compensation for losses Iran suffered due to the conflict, the lifting of the naval blockade on Iranian ports, the withdrawal of US troops from the Middle East, the removal of all sanctions imposed on Iran to date, and the release of frozen assets and funds.
Potential Election Issues
US President Donald Trump no longer holds as strong a position regarding the Iran conflict as he once did. Furthermore, fluctuations in crude oil prices have impacted the global economy. Meanwhile, in the US, gasoline prices have surged to nearly $4 per gallon due to the war, a situation that could prove perilous for the midterm elections. To prevent crude oil and gasoline prices from becoming a campaign issue, President Donald Trump repeatedly emphasises that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and trade continues.
