Hormuz Tolls and Enrichment Moratorium Duration Emerge as Core Deal Obstacles

Bloomberg published an in-depth analysis identifying two core obstacles blocking a US-Iran peace deal: (1) Hormuz transit tolls — Iran wants to permanently establish transit controls including fee collection over the strategic waterway through which 20% of global oil passes; the US called this 'unfeasible'; and (2) uranium enrichment moratorium length — the US demands a 20-year halt while Iran proposed only 5 years, with a 12–15 year compromise reportedly under discussion. Additional sticking points included the pace of sanctions removal and the scope of reparations. CNBC reported that Iran's position remained that it would not surrender its enrichment rights entirely, viewing the nuclear program as both a sovereign right and a strategic deterrent against future coercion. The analysis underscored how far apart the parties remained despite incremental diplomatic progress.