US President Donald Trump is willing to end the Iran war without securing a nuclear deal if Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Sunday.
Trump privately floated the possibility with senior aides as Iran raised its demands for reopening the strategic waterway, making the prospect of a deal more difficult, the report said.
ALSO READ: Hormuz Stand-off: Iran Promises A Deal, Refuses to Blink First
Iran has demanded billions of dollars in payments, an end to US military action and threats against Tehran and its regional allies, and the withdrawal of US naval and air forces involved in the blockade.
Tehran has also sought compensation for damage caused during the conflict, the lifting of US sanctions, the unfreezing of Iranian assets and an end to US interference in regional negotiations, according to reports.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has separately demanded that Washington stop interfering in regional negotiations.
US officials said Trump remains patient and is expected to ride out the latest developments as long as gas prices remain stable.
Trump has also reportedly told senior aides that Iran is unlikely to be able to revive its nuclear programme during his presidency.
ALSO READ: Strait Of Hormuz Standoff: Iran's New Demands, What US Wants And What Lies Ahead
Washington is seeking unrestricted commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to resolve the standoff.
A US official told Reuters that there had been progress between Oman and Iran over the strait and that a deal was expected soon. The official said the US would lift its blockade of Iranian ports once an agreement was announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments.
"As always, US actions will continue to be performance-based and tied to Iran's implementation of its commitments," the official said.
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