The focus of US-Iran negotiations has shifted to limiting uranium enrichment, ultimately turning the Strait of Hormuz into Iran's "weapon of mass destruction."

According to Mars Finance, on April 21, the US and Iran may resume negotiations in Islamabad. Various signs indicate that Washington, in order to safeguard the global economic situation, seems to be willing to tacitly approve Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz. A warning from former Russian President Medvedev has ignited concerns among Gulf states: reopening the Strait of Hormuz may be the most achievable outcome of the US-Iran negotiations, far from the broader de-escalation desired by the Gulf states. Officials and analysts predict that the next round of negotiations in Islamabad will focus less on Iran's missiles or regional proxies, and more on limiting uranium enrichment activities and how to manage Iran's control over the Hormuz oil transport route. This strategy of "managing" instead of "dismantling" may allow Iran to further tighten its control over Middle Eastern energy supplies. While prioritizing global economic stability, this move excludes those countries most vulnerable to energy and security shocks from the formal decision-making process. The US and Iran remain deadlocked on the issue of uranium enrichment. Iran has rejected the demand for "zero enrichment." Sources in the Gulf states said, "Ultimately, the Strait of Hormuz will become the final red line. This was never an issue before, but it is now." In this conflict, Iran's threat to Gulf shipping has broken the long-standing taboo of controlling the Strait of Hormuz, making the cutting off of shipping a real bargaining chip at the negotiating table for the first time.