US-Iran Negotiations Aim to Restart Hormuz, With Both Sides Discussing Phased Arrangements

According to sources close to the US-Iran negotiations, US and Iranian negotiators are discussing a staged solution in New York, which includes Iran reopening shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz and the US lifting economic sanctions on Iran. Insiders say the Strait of Hormuz has become a core bargaining chip in ending the nearly seven-month-long US-Iran conflict. Iran, which has recognized the economic pressure from prolonged confrontation, is considering a phased arrangement: the first step could be resuming shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while the US eases economic sanctions, and Iran may get partial unfreezing of its frozen assets. However, neither side is willing to give up its bargaining chip first, which has become the biggest obstacle to the negotiations. Iranian officials said Tehran is more focused on lifting sanctions rather than insisting on collecting tolls for the Strait of Hormuz in the agreement. Regional sources said Iran may include the toll demand in an annex rather than as part of the main agreement, but this does not mean it is abandoning its position on the Strait's management rights. Analysts believe the US hopes to force Iran to make concessions through pressure, while Iran wants to have pressure lifted first before making commitments. Dennis Ross, a former US Iran negotiator, said the probability of reaching an agreement before the November midterm elections is limited, but both sides have incentives to push forward negotiations ahead of the elections, as reopening the Strait of Hormuz could ease tensions in the Gulf and reduce oil price pressures. Currently, Gulf countries hope to restore shipping freedom and prevent the strategic waterway from becoming a long-term tool for gamesmanship, while pushing the US and Iran to de-escalate through diplomacy.