Regional officials, diplomats and analysts say the Israel‑US war has amplified Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz and enabled Tehran to demand any nuclear accord first acknowledge its de facto control over the oil chokepoint. Alex Vatanka of the U.S.-based Middle East Institute said Iran views the strait as a source of political legitimacy rather than an economic asset — charging transit fees could be lucrative but 'why give up a diamond for a lollipop?' Iranian parliament speaker Qalibaf

Regional officials, diplomats and analysts say the Israel‑US war has amplified Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz and enabled Tehran to demand any nuclear accord first acknowledge its de facto control over the oil chokepoint. Alex Vatanka of the U.S.-based Middle East Institute said Iran views the strait as a source of political legitimacy rather than an economic asset — charging transit fees could be lucrative but 'why give up a diamond for a lollipop?' Iranian parliament speaker Qalibaf said the strait is Iran’s strongest weapon and Iran will not relinquish its rights there. Multiple regional sources and diplomats say Tehran is deliberately slowing negotiations to lock in wartime gains before returning to nuclear talks. A former U.S. diplomat who studies Iran said Tehran believes time is on its side because the Trump administration wants to disengage; Aaron David Miller added the 60‑day negotiation deadline was always illusory and Iran will not act on the nuclear track until it is confident the new status quo is irreversible.