HOLLY WILLIAMS:
00:00:23
President Trump announced he was pausing the US military operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, less than two days after it began, to try to reach a, quote, "complete and final agreement with Iran." According to a report from Axios, the White House believes it's getting close to a deal in the form of a one-page memorandum, including a moratorium on Iran's nuclear enrichment, the lifting of US sanctions, and both sides ending restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. One Iranian official dismissed the report as an American wish list. Another said the US proposal was being considered. Has this war made the US stronger strategically or the opposite? I think it's pretty much made the US weaker. Ultimately, I don't think this has been exactly what the United States bargained for.
HOLLY WILLIAMS:
00:01:17
In a social-media post today, President Trump also threatened Iran with more attacks if it doesn't agree to a deal, saying they'd be at a "much higher level and intensity." Oil prices dropped significantly on the news that the US and Iran could reach an agreement to end the conflict, but the price of gasoline for consumers in the US is still up 50% since the beginning of the war. Today's average is over $4.50 a gallon. Tony.
TONY DOKOUPIL:
00:01:47
Holly Williams for us in Tel Aviv. Holly, thank you very much.
