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Donald Trump may be ready to end the Iran war without a nuclear deal if Tehran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal, citing US
officials, reported that the US President has been preparing to exit the Iran war and declare victory if navigation in the strategic cargo route in the Hormuz is fully restored.
Tehran to hold on to Hormuz at ‘any cost’, Says Ex-Iran Chief Judge
Amid reports that hint Trump may end the war, former Iranian chief justice Ayatollah Amoli Larijani, said that Tehran will not retreat from the Strait of Hormuz at "any cost", Al Jazeera quoted state broadcaster IRIB.
Larijani, who currently heads the Expediency Council, a key conflict resolution and advisory body appointed by the supreme leader, also said that Iran has sovereignty over the strategic chokepoint despite attempts by the country’s “enemies” to besiege it.
Iran Says Deal on Hormuz With Oman Close But Not Enough To Open Waterway
On Saturday, Iran said that a deal with Oman on control of the Strait of Hormuz was close but would not be enough to free up the waterway, and the United Arab Emirates said Iran had hit another ship there.
Agreement between Iran and Oman over the strait, which separates the two countries, is seen as vital to a wider deal to end the war, which began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28 and led to Tehran establishing a chokehold over the major energy export route.
A US official, who declined to be identified, said on Friday that Washington anticipated an agreement soon between Iran and Oman, so normal oil traffic could resume.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran and Oman were "very close" to an agreement on a new shipping route through the strait, but reopening it would depend on other conditions, including U.S. compensation to Iran.
The secretary of Iran's top national security body, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, listed other demands including ending U.S. threats against Iran, stopping aggression against Iran and its Lebanese, Palestinian, Yemeni and Iraqi allies, lifting a blockade and sanctions on Iran and freeing Iranian assets.
With inputs from AP, Reuters
