The art of the incomplete deal: Hard issues on Iran come later
The Trump administration has announced a temporary agreement with Iran that aims to extend a ceasefire and potentially reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This arrangement is not a comprehensive peace or nuclear deal, but it marks a step towards de-escalation in a tense situation. Both sides have made concessions, with the hope of addressing more complex issues in future negotiations.
- ▪The agreement could relieve significant energy disruptions by reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- ▪President Trump has shifted his tone, indicating that negotiations are proceeding in a constructive manner.
- ▪Iran still retains a substantial amount of nuclear fuel, complicating future negotiations.
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The art of the incomplete deal: Hard issues on Iran come laterNews analysisSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxUS President Donald Trump has emerged with an arrangement that could extend a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.PHOTO: AFPDavid E. Sanger and Tyler PagerPublished May 25, 2026, 07:35 AMUpdated May 25, 2026, 07:35 AMWASHINGTON – The temporary agreement that the Trump administration announced with Iran this weekend isn’t a peace deal. It isn’t a nuclear deal. It isn’t a missile deal.Those may yet come – perhaps in a few months, though a senior US official said there was no agreed time limit for nuclear talks, or perhaps far longer if the history of negotiations with Iran holds.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.