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The Trump administration has grown increasingly pessimistic about the chances of reaching a new nuclear agreement with Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing senior U.S. officials.
According to the report, recent exchanges between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz have significantly reduced confidence that a diplomatic breakthrough is achievable, raising doubts about one of President Donald Trump's key foreign policy goals — curbing Tehran's nuclear program through negotiations.
U.S. officials said Washington wants Iran to issue a public statement confirming that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to commercial shipping and pledging to end attacks on merchant vessels. One official suggested there could be serious consequences if such assurances were not provided by July 11, although others said no firm deadline had been set.
The uncertainty has fueled speculation that Trump could once again shift his strategy toward Iran. Options under consideration reportedly range from renewed military action aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons to accepting a less comprehensive agreement or stepping back from the confrontation altogether.
"They violate the agreement every day. They lie. They kill people. Under our deal, they would never have developed a nuclear weapon. But I don't know if we're going to have that deal," Trump told reporters on July 8.
According to the WSJ, senior U.S. officials believe prospects for a broader nuclear agreement remain slim unless Iran agrees to grant the United States control over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, including material believed to be stored in underground facilities following recent strikes.
The report also said Iran has informed Washington that attacks on commercial shipping were unintentional and has expressed interest in continuing negotiations.
Meanwhile, satellite imagery analyzed by CNN and the Institute for Science and International Security suggests Iran may already be working to restore nuclear facilities damaged in recent U.S. and Israeli strikes.
