What are the key conditions each side has set for the interim US-Iran deal regarding the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear program?

The US demands the Strait of Hormuz be reopened to maritime traffic and that Iran’s nuclear weapons program be ended—while allowing a civilian nuclear energy program, removal of enriched nuclear material from Iran, and an end to both sides’ blockade of the strait; in return, the US would ease sanctions and allow Iran’s reintegration into the global economy. Iran insists on retaining sovereignty over the strait (with a new management regime differing from past free services) and gaining immediate access to its frozen funds, while deferring negotiations on uranium enrichment until after the interim deal is signed.

Why is the timing and implementation of the deal considered fragile and uncertain despite high-level optimism?

Despite senior US and Iranian officials expressing 80–85% confidence and suggesting the signing could occur 'in the next one or two days' or 'within the next few days', the deal remains fragile because its step-by-step, conditions-based sequencing—reopening the strait first, then granting economic rewards as Iran meets successive US demands—creates multiple opportunities for collapse; moreover, the draft still requires approval by Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, and Iranian hardliners remain opposed, while the US acknowledges ongoing military incidents like the drone shoot-downs near Hormuz heighten uncertainty.

US Shoots Down Iranian Drones Near Strait of Hormuz Amidst Interim Deal Talks

Jun 12, 2026

The US shot down Iranian drones targeting commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz while negotiations for an interim peace deal continue. Despite military escalation, energy prices fell following Trump's announcement canceling new strikes.

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