Mediators Are Working to Broker a US-Iran Deal, but Major Hurdles Remain

MIDDLE EAST – Mediators are working with Iran and the United States on trying to broker a deal to end the fighting and open the Strait of Hormuz, but major hurdles remain between the sides, according to three regional and two U.S. officials.

The officials divulged that the behind-the-scenes efforts continue even after U.S. President Donald Trump initially said he spurned an Iranian proposal to reopen the strait in a week if the U.S. agreed to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian assets and waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales, among other conditions.

However, the Trump administration will not reach a deal with Tehran until nuclear issues are addressed, another U.S. official said.