US sets Saturday deadline for Iran to open strait as deal pessimism grows

The Trump administration is increasingly doubtful that a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran can be reached, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Friday, marking a rare acknowledgment that one of President Trump's stated foreign policy goals may be slipping out of reach.wsj+1

A senior U.S. official said Iran must publicly declare the Strait of Hormuz open to all shipping and cease attacks on commercial vessels by Saturday, or face consequences. The ultimatum comes after the United States concluded a two-day retaliatory bombing campaign that struck roughly 170 Iranian military targets, following Iranian attacks on shipping in the strait.instagram+2

Ceasefire Collapses

The pessimism follows a turbulent two weeks since Trump signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran at the Palace of Versailles on June 17, which was supposed to initiate a 60-day window for final negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program and sanctions relief. Trump declared that ceasefire "OVER" earlier this week after Iran struck commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and launched missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain.cnn+3

"This is in retribution for yesterday's bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!" Trump wrote on Wednesday. On Friday, Trump said the U.S. had agreed to Iran's request to continue talks, while reiterating the ceasefire was finished.washingtonpost+2

'A Waste of Time'

Former deputy national security adviser Victoria Coates, whose hawkish commentary on Iran has drawn praise from Trump, echoed the administration's skepticism. "As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with [Iran]," Coates said, according to The Hill News Corp ↘ 0.03%.thehill+1

The United Nations International Maritime Organization reported that renewed hostilities brought shipping to a near-standstill in the strait on Thursday, leaving around 6,000 seafarers stranded aboard hundreds of vessels. Iran has announced it will target vessels linked to U.S. interests, according to the Institute for the Study of War.news.un+1

What Comes Next

The Saturday deadline sets the stage for a potential resumption of large-scale military operations if Iran does not comply. Al Jazeera reported Friday that while Trump declared the memorandum of understanding "over," U.S. officials have reaffirmed Washington's willingness to continue negotiations. Analysts say the most likely scenario is a return to the tit-for-tat strikes that characterized the conflict between the April ceasefire and the June agreement, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining partially closed.newindianexpress+1