The Trump administration is significantly scaling back some of its demands on Iran, focusing primarily on preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and maintaining stable energy prices as the current U.S.-Iran understandings approach their expiration.

President Donald Trump made clear that one red line remains unchanged: “Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a nuclear weapon.”

However, CNN reports that after six months of conflict, Washington is prepared to move away from some of its broader original objectives, including regime change in Tehran and ending Iranian support for its regional proxies.

The administration is now reportedly concentrating on two primary goals: preventing Iranian nuclear armament and maintaining stability in global energy prices.

According to CNN, Trump believes Iran’s nuclear program has been sufficiently damaged and that its nuclear materials remain buried deep underground. The administration is reportedly no longer insisting that Iran surrender the materials and could instead accept monitoring them from space.

The shift comes as tensions continue surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Iran closed the strategic waterway in protest of an American effort to establish an alternative route, bringing commercial shipping to a complete halt on Sunday. Traffic later resumed, but the disruption highlighted Tehran’s ability to exert pressure on global energy markets and trade.

Meanwhile, Iran’s economy continues to face mounting pressure, with its currency weakening and inflation remaining high. An Iranian vice president warned of an “economic war” and called on government institutions to prepare plans to confront the pressure, while data from tracking firm Kpler indicated a sharp slowdown in tanker traffic in the Gulf.

Iran, however, disputes the claim that a deadline for the understandings is approaching. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Monday that the memorandum does not specify a 60-day period and that Tehran would not accept pressure based on time constraints.

“The United States has not fulfilled its commitments under the memorandum, therefore the issue of the 60 days is irrelevant and our forces are prepared to respond,” Baghaei said.

Despite the tough rhetoric, there are growing indications that both sides are seeking additional time. Sources told Saudi outlet Al Arabiya that there are reports of an agreement to extend the temporary U.S.-Iran ceasefire for another 60 days.

Such an extension would signal that Washington currently favors a narrower agreement over pursuing all of its original objectives, while Trump’s central demand — preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon — remains unchanged.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)