Trump Adds Demands; Is an Iran Deal Drifting Further Away?
US President Donald Trump has once again hardened his stance on Iran by introducing new demands for compensation. Trump is calling on Iran to pay for losses related to casualties and conflicts he attributes to Tehran, insisting that these demands be included in any future negotiations.
This move follows Iran's own earlier demands for compensation regarding damages caused by conflicts with the US and Israel. Tehran continues to insist on the lifting of sanctions, the end of naval blockades, the release of frozen assets, and security guarantees before the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened.
Demands from both sides have diminished the likelihood of a quick agreement, despite earlier signals from Washington, Iran, and Oman that talks regarding the Hormuz shipping lanes were making progress.
This uncertainty has kept energy prices elevated. Brent crude is trading near US$88 per barrel, while WTI hovers around US$82. European diesel prices have also surged following reported attacks on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Russia.
Trump had previously signaled a preference for economic pressure over new military strikes, though he maintains that the military option remains on the table. Meanwhile, Iran states that a deal with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz is close but remains unwilling to engage in direct talks with Washington.
Newsmaker Analysis: Escalating demands from both the US and Iran make the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz increasingly difficult to achieve in the near term. This situation tends to keep oil prices high, heightens inflation risks, and could revive expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. For gold, the outlook is mixed: geopolitical risks support its status as a safe-haven asset, yet rising oil prices and interest rates could cap any rally. (asd)
Source: Newsmaker.id
