09/08/2026
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09/08/2026
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WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM, Aug 9: US President Donald Trump was willing to end the war with Iran without securing a nuclear agreement if Tehran agreed to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing US officials.
According to the report, Trump privately discussed the option with senior aides after weeks of preparations to declare victory if Iran restored unrestricted passage through the strategically vital waterway.
However, the prospect of such an arrangement became more difficult after Iran demanded billions of dollars in US payments, the withdrawal of American troops from the region and an end to the US naval blockade, among other conditions, the newspaper reported.
The demands represent Iran’s highest price yet for allowing commercial traffic to resume freely through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The developments come as Israel continues to insist that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a key objective.
Netanyahu: Iran will not get nuclear weapons
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons regardless of whether negotiations between Tehran, Washington and Arab states result in an agreement.
“I want to emphasise once again: with an agreement or without an agreement, as long as I am prime minister, Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting.
His remarks underscore Israel’s position that a diplomatic agreement alone would not guarantee that Iran remains permanently prevented from developing nuclear weapons.
The statements come amid continuing diplomatic and military tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and the broader regional conflict.
