President Donald Trump is publicly souring on a deal with Iran that was supposed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes on any given day. What was described as a “largely negotiated” agreement just weeks ago now looks increasingly fragile, with Trump calling Iran “dishonorable” and demanding tougher terms.
From “largely negotiated” to “dishonorable”
On May 23, 2026, Trump told reporters that an agreement with Iran “has been largely negotiated,” framing the reopening of the strait as a centerpiece of the accord. The tone was cautiously optimistic.
Fast forward to June 12, 2026, and the mood had shifted dramatically. Trump labeled Iranian state media reports about the negotiations as “inaccurate” and called Iran “dishonorable” for how they characterized the discussions publicly.
His demands have also hardened. Trump is now insisting that the Strait of Hormuz remain open with “no tolls for unrestricted shipping traffic in both directions.” He’s also pushing for firmer negotiations on Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
