U.S. President Donald Trump once declared in January 2020 that "Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation." This statement may now be haunting his second-term administration. Following weeks of military escalation against Iran alongside Israel, a more restrained Trump appears to be scrambling toward a deal that falls significantly short of the maximalist goals proclaimed at the conflict's outset. There is no "complete and total surrender" by Iran, no regime collapse in Tehran, no verified dismantling of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, and no surrender of all highly enriched uranium stockpiles.
Narrowed Objectives
The immediate American objective has narrowed to something far more modest: reopening the Strait of Hormuz and preventing a wider global economic meltdown triggered by disruptions in Gulf energy shipments. On Saturday, Trump stated that the Strait "will be opened" under a new understanding with Tehran, ostensibly due to pressure from other Gulf allies. Ironically, the Strait was functioning normally before the U.S.-Israeli military campaign began.
Negotiation Claims
"An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States, Iran, and various other Countries… Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly," Trump posted on Truth Social, amid a flurry of other posts. In leaks to the American media, U.S. officials claimed the proposed agreement included an undertaking by Tehran to give up its uranium and unconditionally reopen the straits. However, Iran's state-linked Fars News agency denied such commitments, insisting Tehran would continue exercising sovereign control over passage routes, timing, permits, and access through the strategic waterway, through which nearly one-fifth of the world's oil supplies pass.
Proposed Concessions
According to reports circulating in Washington diplomatic circles, the proposed framework could involve a raft of concessions by the U.S., including partial sanctions relief for Iran, access to some $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets, and a phased reopening of maritime traffic in exchange for renewed but undefined discussions over Tehran's nuclear programme.
About the Author: Chidanand Rajghatta, author of Kamala Harris: Phenomenal Woman.
