Trump ready to end war with Iran without nuclear deal - WSJ

U.S. President Donald Trump is ready to declare victory in the war with Iran if Tehran fully opens the Strait of Hormuz. Under such a scenario, the American leader may abandon a nuclear deal.

This is reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing American officials. According to them, over several weeks, Trump prepared the groundwork for such a decision and discussed it with senior advisers.

The implementation of this plan was complicated by new demands from Tehran. Iran wants to receive billions of dollars in compensation from the U.S., secure the withdrawal of American troops from the region, and end the naval blockade.

Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, also demanded the lifting of U.S. sanctions, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, and compensation for war losses.

Among Tehran's other conditions are the cessation of threats against Iran and an end to military actions against it and its allies in Lebanon, the Gaza Strip, Yemen, and Iraq. Previously, similar concessions were put forward as conditions for a nuclear deal, but now Iran demands them for the restoration of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite Tehran's stance, Trump does not yet plan to launch a new large-scale offensive. In an Axios interview, he stated that the U.S. is reducing the intensity of the standoff and allowing economic pressure on Iran to intensify.

"We are acting with restraint. We are only partially negotiating with them. We are simply observing Iran with its massive inflation and lack of money", - said the American president.

Trump claims that due to the American naval blockade, Iran is in a difficult economic situation and does not have enough funds even for military payouts. He also noted that the drop in oil price to just over $75 per barrel has reduced the economic consequences of the war for American consumers.

Just a week ago, Trump was leaning toward resuming large-scale hostilities, but advisers convinced him to temporarily de-escalate. In Washington, there is a belief that the cessation of active combat will force Iranian authorities to focus on the internal economic crisis.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran is not currently negotiating with the United States. According to him, the parties are only exchanging messages through intermediaries.

"As long as the violation of agreements is not resolved and America does not compensate for what it violated in the memorandum of understanding, resuming negotiations is impossible", - stressed Araghchi.

Separate talks between Iran and Oman regarding safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the minister, are progressing successfully and are in the final stage. The parties are to define a new sea route through the strategic waterway.

At the same time, the agreement with Oman alone does not guarantee the full opening of the strait. To this end, Tehran continues to demand Washington fulfill additional political, military, and economic conditions.

Based on materials from: The Wall Street Journal, Axios, CNN