Trump and Mojtaba: the Hormuz negotiations

On 9 August, US President Donald Trump participated in an interview with Axios. The interview came amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, with the latter suffering severe consequences from a series of US strikes, a key assassination, and a naval blockade on its oil exports. Despite these actions inflicting substantial human, economic, and infrastructural damage on Iran, the country has not toppled its government, eliminated its nuclear or ballistic missile programs, or abandoned its regional allies.

Negotiations have shifted focus to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway where around 20% of the world's energy passes through. Trump is relying on sustained sanctions and a blockade to coerce Iran into concessions, while Tehran is counting on rising war costs and energy prices to pressure Trump ahead of November's midterm elections into making a favorable deal for Iran.

Indirect US-Iran negotiations could determine not only the fate of the strait but also the state of relations between the two longstanding adversaries. Whether a deal will bring an end to the US-Iran war or pave the way for another round of conflict remains uncertain, given the immense stakes involved. Al Majalla has chosen this topic as its weekly cover story, providing political and economic analysis about the events leading up to this point and what the future may hold.