President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed Iran “wants to make a deal” and that it has already agreed to terms that align with his viewpoints, but there is little publicly reported evidence to suggest the two sides are on the verge of a breakthrough.

The administration is currently pursuing an agreement that would focus on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow but vital waterway for the global transportation of oil and gas from Gulf countries, and this first deal is straightforward. Iran, which has threatened and carried out attacks on commercial shipping vessels, would cease those attacks and allow ships to transit the strait without fear of coming under attack. In exchange, the U.S. would agree to end its dueling blockade of Iranian ports, which it did in retaliation.