Iran prioritizes Hormuz over nuclear

Iran views control of the Strait of Hormuz as a 'golden weapon' and now prioritizes it over its nuclear program. Recent actions include firing on ships without Tehran's approval, leading to an exchange of fire with the United States that threatens last month's interim peace deal. The interim deal, signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, left the strait's ultimate fate vague. Iran interprets the memorandum as U.S. recognition of its right to manage the waterway, while the U.S. and Gulf states reject this. Iran has refused to begin nuclear talks until the U.S. accepts its full management of the strait. The U.S. and Israel attacked on February 28, killing Iran's supreme leader, prompting Iran to close the strait. The U.S. blockaded Iranian ports in April. Both sides eventually agreed to an interim deal due to economic costs, but tensions remain high.