3 weeks ago
Trump Weighs Iran Compromise as Strait of Hormuz Deal Nears
The Strait of Hormuz is a very important waterway where giant ships carry oil to countries all over the world.
After a big conflict between the United States and Iran, it has become harder for ships to pass through safely.
President Trump wants to make a deal with Iran to open the strait again.
Both sides say they are close to an agreement.
But they disagree about who should be in charge of the waterway and whether Iran can charge ships money to use it.
Some experts say the US military is running low on important weapons.
President Trump says that is not true and that the military has plenty of weapons.
Many people in America think the war with Iran was not worth fighting.
The conflict has also made gasoline prices higher than before.
Leaders from both countries are still talking and hope to find a solution very soon.
President Donald Trump may need to compromise with Iran to reach a deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil normally flows.
US and Iranian officials say a deal is close, but the two sides remain at odds over control of the waterway and over the Trump administration's opposition to Iran charging fees.
Trump denied Washington Post reports of shrinking US weapons stockpiles and threatened jail time for alleged leakers, while experts including the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) say inventories of advanced missile interceptors are declining.
About two-thirds of US adults say the war with Iran has not been worthwhile, according to a late-July AP-NORC poll, even as Trump claims his poll numbers are the best they have ever been.
Vessel transits through the strait rose to 84 last week from 45, still far below the usual 700-plus, and at least two ships were hit in the past week, per Lloyd's List Intelligence.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, the Trump administration, Iranian officials, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, former officials such as Eliot Cohen and David Schenker, and US Senator Mark Kelly.
- What
- Negotiations over a possible deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, disputes over control of the waterway and whether Iran can charge fees, and debate over US weapons stockpiles and Trump's poll claims.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf region, including routes near Oman's coast; Washington, DC, and Camp David.
- When
- The article covers the past week's events, including a Thursday social media post by Trump, a late-July AP-NORC poll, and the Iran war that began more than five months ago, ahead of November's midterm elections.
- Why
- To reopen the economically vital strait through which 20% of the world's oil normally flows, ease elevated gasoline prices, and relieve pressure on the White House and Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.
Critics and Skeptics
Administration and Analysts
US compromise over the Strait of Hormuz
Critics and Skeptics
Eliot Cohen, a former State Department counselor, says Trump divides the world into winners and losers and that any concession to Iran would make him a loser, an image he would find intolerable.
Administration and Analysts
David Schenker, a former State Department official now at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, says increasing economic pressure may prompt Trump to compromise on the strait, calling it a concession he may well be willing to make.
US weapons stockpiles
Critics and Skeptics
Experts, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), say inventories of advanced weapons such as missile interceptors are declining, and Sen. Mark Kelly calls the shortfall a "self-inflicted problem" from a war without a well-defined goal.
Administration and Analysts
Trump says the US military has "massive amounts" of weapons and is "in great shape," insisting that some munitions are in virtually unlimited supply and others are only "a little bit tighter."
Status of the Strait of Hormuz
Critics and Skeptics
Lloyd's List Intelligence reports that at least two ships were hit in the strait in the past week, with several near misses, while vessel traffic remains far below pre-crisis levels.
Administration and Analysts
Trump says the strait is "sort of open right now," pointing to the Navy's blockade of Iranian ports, and the US military says a route it helps oversee near Oman remains free and open for commercial vessels.
Key facts
- Oil flow through Strait of Hormuz
- 20% of the world's oil normally
- Vessel transits last week
- 84, up from 45 the previous week
- Typical weekly transits before crisis
- More than 700
- Ships hit in the strait in the past week
- At least 2, with several near misses or warnings from entities claiming to represent Iran's Revolutionary Guard
- Americans saying Iran war not worthwhile
- About two-thirds (AP-NORC poll, late July)
- Republicans saying Iran war not worthwhile
- About 37%
- US jobs in June
- Nearly 159 million, a record (excluding farmworkers)
- Reported deal structure
- Entry via an Iranian-controlled route and exit via an Omani-controlled route, with no tolls or charges
Quotes
David Schenker
Former State Department official and Washington Institute fellow
“"There will be a lot of spin both ways, but my guess is that the president has tipped his hand as to the urgency for him of resolving the crisis," he said, concluding, "This is a concession he may very well be willing to make."”
deccanchronicle.com
“"He divides the world into winners and losers, and this would make him a loser," he said, adding, "And the image of being a loser, I think, would be intolerable for him."”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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