Trump reportedly has floated to senior aides that if the US can keep Iran's nuclear program in check and traffic resumes through the Strait of Hormuz, he would be willing to extend the ceasefire "indefinitely" and effectively declare the conflict over.

In recent meetings, Trump has expressed confidence that Iran is "likely unable to revive its nuclear work" after Operation Midnight Hammer caused heavy damage to Iran's nuclear infrastructure in June 2025. He believes US intelligence capabilities would catch any Iranian attempts to rebuild, and that the threat of further American strikes would "serve as an enduring deterrent."

Trump's key condition for ending the war is that Iran agrees to fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. In exchange, officials expect Trump would lift the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

According to the Wall Street Journal, a White House official said that the US has "completed all of its military objectives against Iran," and the president's focus is now on "securing the flow of the world's energy through the Strait of Hormuz." The reporting suggests Trump is patient and expected to ride out the latest diplomatic snarl, especially so long as gas prices remain where they are.

Let's assume that this WSJ report is accurate (a big assumption). President Trump is still living in a fantasy world. Despite his recent outbursts about bombing Iran's nuclear sites, he now seems content to revert to his original declaration from June 2025 that Iran's nuclear program has been obliterated. Count me skeptical. However, if Trump is willing to make that assumption then it removes one item from the negotiation list… Until recently the US, via Pakistani mediators, was pressing Iran to discuss the Iranian nuclear program before addressing the lifting of the blockade and sanctions, and the unfreezing of assets. Iran, for its part, has insisted on the reverse position: i.e., lift the blockade and sanctions, unfreeze the assets and accept Iran's sovereignty over the Persian Gulf.

If Trump's decision to declare victory and end the war hinges on Iran, "fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping," then prospects for a deal are slim. Iran will only agree to allowing ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with the Persian Gulf Strait Authority guidelines it issued on April 22nd. In early May, the Supreme National Security Council and other Iranian bodies publicly confirmed the PGSA's formation and role. It began administering a permit-based system requiring vessels to submit a detailed "Vessel Information Declaration" (covering ownership, insurance, crew, cargo, etc.) before receiving clearance. Fees for "specialized services" were part of the planned mechanism. Iran is not going to backdown on this point.