Since the first negotiations between the second Trump administration and Tehran concerning Iran’s nuclear program began in April 2025, both sides have continued to view each other’s conditions as non-starters. Washington has continuously demanded that Iran commit to zero enrichment, forfeit its entire stockpile (440kg) of 60 percent enriched uranium, terminate its ballistic missile program, and relinquish its support for regional proxies. Despite President Trump’s claims of U.S. military success or that Iran is conceding or “begging for a deal,” the Iranians have not only continually rejected all of the original U.S. demands, but have effectively demanded the opposite. 

Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subtly admitted in a May 10 interview with 60 Minutes that the U.S. and Israel did not accomplish their military objectives when asked about the status of the conflict. Netanyahu said that despite making significant progress, the war was not over due to the enriched uranium buried in Iran, enrichment facilities that remain intact, Tehran’s continuous support for regional proxies, and the ballistic missiles that are still being produced. All of which are conditions that Iran will not acquiesce to. 

Operation Epic Fury did not pressure Iran to bend the knee on any of the aforementioned issues, but resulted in another consequential and contentious issue: freedom of movement in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran will only reopen the Strait on the condition that it splits control with Oman and can charge a toll to ships requesting passage. Continuous demands have also been made for the U.S. to lift sanctions and release frozen assets, pay reparations for starting the war, withdraw its military from Iran’s periphery, end the naval blockade, and ensure that any permanent end to hostilities includes the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon. 

Where do things stand now?

On May 24, the United States and Iran agreed to a potential deal that would have the latter reopen the Strait of Hormuz and turn over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in exchange for the U.S. lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. Iran also demanded that the U.S. lift some........

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