00:16A major geopolitical twist could reshape the Middle East and global energy markets.
00:22An emerging Hormuz straight deal reportedly gives Iran an unprecedented role in controlling
00:29one of the world's most important shipping routes while nuclear negotiations with the
00:34United States prepare to restart.
00:37According to a New York Times report, ships entering the Persian Gulf would use a channel
00:42located close to Iran's coastline.
00:45Ships leaving the Gulf would instead travel through a route near Oman.
00:49On paper, the arrangement appears balanced, but critics argue the reality is very different.
00:55Iranian officials insist there are no tolls.
00:59They describe the payments as service fees for environmental protection, cargo security
01:04and staffing, with the revenue purportedly shared equally with Oman.
01:09However, a United States official has rejected that version, saying there are no Iranian approvals
01:15and no tolls involved.
01:17The proposed framework gives Iran and Oman 60 days to negotiate reopening the waterway.
01:23During that same period, Washington and Tehran are expected to restart negotiations over
01:30Iran's nuclear program.
01:32And that is where the biggest challenge begins.
01:35The United States wants Iran to dilute its stockpile of roughly 11 tons of enriched uranium,
01:42including around half a ton enriched close to weapons grade.
01:46The goal is to make the material unusable for nuclear weapons before shipping it to the United
01:52States or another country for disposal or civilian energy use.
01:56But officials familiar with the talks are reportedly pessimistic.
02:01A previous 60-day deadline announced by President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance is
02:07set to expire with no agreement in sight.
02:10Some officials privately believe no nuclear deal will happen at all.
02:14Instead, there is speculation that the administration could eventually argue Iran's stockpile was
02:20effectively buried or destroyed during the June 2025 strikes.
02:26Meanwhile, Iran maintains that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States
02:32lifts what Tehran calls its naval blockade.
02:35Pentagon officials are also raising concerns.
02:38They argue the Omani shipping route remains heavily mined, meaning vessels could still require
02:44coordination with Iran to move safely through the area.
02:48That has led to one major question.
02:50If ships entering the Gulf move through an Iranian-controlled channel and ships leaving
02:56still require Iranian coordination, does Iran effectively gain influence over traffic
03:01in both directions, regardless of what the agreement officially says?
03:07Some analysts believe the sequence of negotiations is equally revealing.
03:11Shipping access appears to be the immediate priority, while the far more difficult issue
03:16of Iran's enriched uranium is pushed into later talks.
03:20One analyst described the choice facing Washington as a decision between an
03:25unwinnable war and an uncomfortable peace.
03:29If that assessment is correct, this emerging Hormuz deal could become one of the most
03:34most consequential geopolitical compromises in recent years.
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