Iran-US War Latest: Trump ‘Low-Keying It’ as Tehran Sets Conditions to Reopen Hormuz
The US President Donald Trump has announced that he is going to temporarily pause any further military escalation against Iran, instead focussing on economic pressure. The new development comes as Iran is raising the stakes in the row over the Strait of Hormuz, demanding that Washington pay for damages before reopening the strategic waterway.
According to the intermediaries, Tehran wants the United States to meet several conditions before Iran lifts the restrictions to clear the waters of the strategic strait. In addition, Iran demands compensation for the damage to its infrastructure caused by American and Israeli attacks, the lifting of sanctions against the Islamic Republic, and an end to the American military threat and blockade of Iran.
The Iranian intermediaries have also said that they want the blocked assets to be unfrozen.Trump, speaking to Axios, said the US was taking a more restrained approach for now.
He pointed to Iran’s severe economic difficulties, including inflation and financial pressure on the government, suggesting that Washington expects economic measures to weaken Tehran’s position rather than immediately launch another major military operation.
The dispute over Hormuz remains central to efforts to stabilise the region. Iran and Oman are reportedly close to an arrangement establishing new shipping lanes through the strait, but Tehran insists that such an agreement does not automatically amount to unrestricted reopening.
The waterway is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas shipments. Any prolonged disruption has implications for energy markets, shipping costs and economies across the Gulf.
Iranian officials have stressed that the country is not engaged in direct negotiations with Washington. Instead, messages are being exchanged through intermediaries as both sides weigh their next steps.The latest developments leave the prospects for a full reopening uncertain.
Washington wants unrestricted maritime traffic, while Tehran is seeking financial compensation, sanctions relief and security guarantees before easing its control over the strategic passage. With neither side appearing ready to concede on its central demands, the Hormuz dispute remains a key test of whether the wider US-Iran confrontation can move towards a negotiated settlement.
