Iran Demands U.S. Troop Withdrawal and War Compensation... Trump's 'Hormuz Exit Strategy' Faces Setback

Iran Demands Release of Frozen Assets
Prospects for Reopening the Strait Recede
Trump’s Exit Strategy Hits Obstacles

Iran has demanded the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East, compensation for the damages caused by the war, and the lifting of sanctions as preconditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. This is expected to inevitably disrupt U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to use the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as an alternative outcome to a nuclear deal, thereby seeking an exit from the war with Iran.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and Iran's state-run IRNA news agency on August 9 (local time), Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, Secretary General of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), issued a statement the previous day outlining the prerequisites for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has insisted that the United States lift its maritime blockade on Iran and withdraw its naval and air force troops from surrounding areas. In addition, Iran called for a complete and unconditional lifting of sanctions against the country, as well as the release of Iranian assets frozen overseas.

Iran also demanded that compensation be paid for the damages caused by the war waged by the United States against Iran. Furthermore, it set conditions to halt all military actions against Iranian allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq, and to stop all threats and insults directed at Iran.

Zolghadr emphasized, "The Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until the United States corrects its actions."

Iran Demands Preemptive Lifting of Sanctions... Confirms IRGC Control Over the Strait

These demands represent a significantly tougher stance than the previous memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreed upon between the United States and Iran to end the war. While the earlier MOU stipulated that the U.S. would end sanctions in accordance with the final nuclear deal schedule, this time Iran has stated that the United States must first lift sanctions even before reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Given Iran's tougher demands, negotiations for reopening the Strait of Hormuz now face a greater likelihood of deadlock. Oman, which shares the strait with Iran, has recently been working to agree on geographical coordinates to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels and has been drafting a joint statement with Iran on the matter.

While expectations for reopening the strait had grown as the two sides reportedly neared a final deal, Iran is now ramping up pressure, insisting that the ultimate decision rests on the stance taken by the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in Tehran that day, "We are not currently negotiating with the United States," adding, "While there are message exchanges via mediators, this cannot be called negotiation."

He further clarified that although mediators are striving to lay the groundwork for talks, "There will be no resumption of negotiations until the United States stops its violations of the MOU and compensates for its breaches."

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran also reaffirmed that it will maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz until the United States accepts Iran's terms.

Trump Seeks Exit from the War... Iran’s Tough Stance Complicates Calculations

As Iran has substantially heightened its demands, President Trump's calculus for using the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as an exit strategy for the war has grown more complex. According to WSJ, President Trump has recently been considering declaring a victory in the war if Iran fully reopens the strait, even without reaching a nuclear agreement. He has also suggested in private to senior aides that the U.S. could withdraw from the war even in the absence of a nuclear deal with Iran.

Since April, the White House has maintained its core negotiation goal that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons. However, as it has become increasingly difficult to find a breakthrough on the nuclear issue, the focus has shifted toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The WSJ reported that since the U.S. destroyed three major Iranian nuclear facilities last year, President Trump believes it will be difficult for Iran to quickly rebuild its nuclear program, and that any reconstruction efforts would likely be detected by U.S. intelligence agencies. President Trump’s assessment is that as long as shipping in the Strait of Hormuz is normalized, there is potential to maintain the current ceasefire for a prolonged period.

Particularly with the U.S. midterm elections approaching in November and high energy prices emerging as a political liability, there is analysis that President Trump is seeking justification to end the war. Iran is seen as leveraging President Trump's desire to reopen the strait and end the war as a bargaining chip in negotiations.

However, the positions of the two sides remain far apart. The United States has made clear it cannot accept any plan whereby Iran imposes passage fees on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz or exerts effective control over vessel movements.

Iran, on the other hand, opposes the passage of U.S. warships through the strait. The WSJ noted that by simultaneously demanding U.S. troop withdrawal, the lifting of sanctions and maritime blockade, the release of frozen assets, and war reparations, Iran has substantially raised the bar for reaching a negotiated settlement.

Mona Yacoubian, Director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), told WSJ, "Iran’s recent hardline demands regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz are making it increasingly difficult for President Trump to find a face-saving exit from the conflict."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.