WASHINGTON/TEHRAN, 25 May. - (ANA) - There’s a deal in the making and, based on the market reaction and more tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Indeed, it seems shipping companies and investors believe this round of talks is real. 

 

US President Donald Trump is hailing the agreement with Iran as groundbreaking, even though, he admits, it "isn't even fully negotiated.

 

However, the nuclear stockpile, enrichment and missiles have not been discussed.

 

While still short on details, the agreement could gradually reopen the strait and address Iran’s nuclear program, ahead of another 30 to 60 days of negotiations between Tehran and Washington toward a broader deal. There has been an uptick in oil and gas ships exiting the Gulf, led by Abu Dhabi and Qatar, but the flow remains a small fraction of prewar traffic.

 

Whatever the final wording of a deal, the baseline has shifted from US President Donald Trump’s demand for total capitulation. Tehran, as well as Trump critics, are framing the outcome as a victory for Iran — which appears to be maintaining control over the strait and remains adamant about levying a toll.

 

Many experts, meanwhile, see this next phase as a pause, not peace: Former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani stressed multiple times during a recent 90-minute interview that another US-Israel confrontation with Iran was likely within the next decade, and that the Gulf will once again be caught in the middle.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/25 May 2026 - - -