The Trump administration now considers a deal with Iran 'less likely,' according to a report by i24NEWS. Senior American officials have demanded that Tehran issue a public commitment to cease attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and keep the waterway fully open. Iran, for its part, has claimed that recent strikes were carried out by 'rogue elements.'
The Trump administration now considers a deal with Iran 'less likely,' according to a report by i24NEWS published Saturday morning, citing unnamed US officials. The assessment marks a further shift in Washington's posture, which has escalated demands on Tehran since the early hours of Saturday. American officials have demanded that Iran issue a public commitment to cease attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and keep the waterway fully open. Iran has responded by claiming that recent strikes were carried out by 'rogue elements.'
The downgraded assessment follows a series of US demands reported by The Zioneer since Saturday morning. At 00:12 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported a 24-hour ultimatum demanding a public commitment to end Hormuz attacks. By 04:20 Jerusalem, the desk published four updates: first, a demand for a public declaration that the Strait is open; second, a threat of 'severe consequences' if Iran does not comply; third, growing pessimism among administration officials on the prospects for a nuclear deal; and fourth, a demand for specific guarantees of freedom of navigation. The new i24NEWS report makes the pessimism more explicit, but remains based on a single source citing unnamed officials — no independent corroboration has emerged.
The escalating crisis comes amid weeks of tension over the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed since early June. As The Zioneer reported on July 8, President Trump threatened 'very hard' strikes on Iran, and on July 9 he questioned whether Tehran is 'worthy' of making a deal. The administration's shift to a 'less likely' assessment reflects the widening gap between US and Iranian positions, as earlier interim understandings — which an Iranian official claimed in June included promises of funds and Hormuz control — have unraveled.
What remains open: The new report is based on a single news outlet (i24NEWS) citing unnamed officials. No other outlets have confirmed the assessment. The Iranian government has not publicly responded to the latest report. The reasons for the downgraded assessment have not been detailed.
5 developments
- StrongTrump says 'surface reports' that Iran deal is less restrictive than 2015 JCPOA
- DevelopingAnalyst: Odds of Iran opening Hormuz immediately upon deal signing 'near zero'
- StrongTrump reiterates: No final Iran deal may include tolls in Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingTrump: Without a deal, US military actions could shut Hormuz for extended period
Source and signal
- Internal intake