Iran publishes list of demands to the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, says newspaper

According to the American newspaper, Donald Trump's government is unlikely to agree to Iranian demands, which raises concerns about the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Last week, Trump had already stated that Iran should choose between a "deal" or "total surrender" of the war. At other times, the American president has also said that the naval blockade would only be lifted through an agreement with Tehran. In addition, American officials had also previously stated that Iran would only have access to frozen assets if it committed to giving up enriched uranium. Among the other demands of the American government are the abandonment of the Iranian nuclear weapons program and the guarantee of safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran and Oman were "very close" to a new agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait. What is the Strait of Hormuz, key to global oil "There is progress between Oman and Iran on the strait, and we expect an agreement soon," an American official told Reuters on Friday. "As soon as the agreement to reestablish unimpeded commercial shipping is announced, the United States will lift the blockade on Iranian ports." In June, a memorandum of understanding signed by the US and Iran provided for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the temporary lifting of oil sanctions against Tehran. However, the two countries had different interpretations of the treaty and the agreement was called into question less than two weeks after its signing. Concerns about oil and inflation The list of demands frustrates market expectations that a deal between Iran and Oman could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, whose shipping traffic has been limited since the start of the war in February. The closure of the canal, an important maritime route in the region, has put pressure on oil prices and, consequently, energy costs and global inflation. With a sharp increase in fuel prices in the United States, says the NYT, the Trump administration may be forced to consider Iranian demands to try to reduce American inflation — which could also represent a risk for the midterm elections in November. Since the start of the war, Brent oil, an international reference, has already accumulated an increase of almost 15% until last Friday (7), when the commodity closed at US$83.30 per barrel. READ MORE CHRONOLOGY: See the main changes in Trump's stance on Iran Trump's deputy says the Iranians are 'extraordinarily difficult' and what an agreement should take. Is the US vulnerable? How falling missile stocks threaten American defense