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Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/10/iran-peace-deal-trump-strait-of-hormuz-conflict-us/
Iran Is on Its Knees and Can't Demand Anything Significant
(Telegraph-UK) Con Coughlin - No matter how hard the Iranians pretend they have the upper hand in negotiations to end hostilities with the U.S., the inescapable reality is that the ayatollahs desperately need to seal a deal - and quickly - if the Islamic Republic is to stand any chance of surviving. Iran's basket-case economy has collapsed almost entirely as a result of the 40-day war with the U.S. and Israel. The regime imposing a nationwide internet black-out to disrupt the activities of anti-government protesters has not helped matters either, with 6% of Iran's GDP relying on the digital economy. It is self-evident that the Iranian regime is clearly on its knees, and in no position to demand any significant concessions from the Trump administration in the ongoing negotiations to end the conflict. Yet, judging from recent comments by prominent Western commentators, there is a widespread view that Iran not only has the upper hand in the talks, but is well within its rights to impose its own restrictions on commercial shipping using the Strait of Hormuz, even though the waterway is recognized as an international passage under the laws of the sea. It is inconceivable that Trump would agree to a deal with Tehran that resulted in Iran assuming sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Nor will the president tolerate any nuclear agreement that provides Tehran with even the slightest window to resume work on its clandestine nuclear weapons program.