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According to a report by Al Jazeera on June 4, 2026, Alan Eyre, a fellow at the Middle East Institute, said the United States needs to secure some form of nuclear concession from Iran, warning that without a deal, critics of President Donald Trump could argue that Washington accepted an agreement that effectively takes the situation back to February 27, before the escalation of the war on Iran.
“On Iran’s side, they need money, so they need either unblocked assets, a toll system, or something, because their economy is in a shambles,” Eyre told Al Jazeera.
He explained that Iran’s economic pressure is becoming a key factor shaping its negotiating position, especially as sanctions and restricted access to funds continue to weaken its financial system. According to him, Tehran’s leadership is increasingly looking for practical financial relief measures that could provide immediate support to its struggling economy.
“the blockade is hurting Iran, but it’s hurting Iran on the scale of months, whereas the closure of the strait is much more immediate and much more urgent”, he said, referring to the US blockade on Iranian ports, and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Eyre further noted that while the blockade continues to strain Iran over time, the strategic consequences of closing key maritime routes would be felt far more quickly on the global stage.
The Strait of Hormuz, in particular, is considered one of the world’s most important energy corridors, and any disruption there could have immediate effects on global oil supply chains and prices. This makes the situation especially sensitive, as both Washington and Tehran weigh their next moves amid ongoing tensions and diplomatic uncertainty.
