Trump to Seek G7 Backing for Hormuz Demining as U.S.-Iran Deal Nears Finalization

The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments, making it the world's most critical energy chokepoint. Mines planted during the U.S.-Iran conflict have paralyzed commercial traffic through the waterway, sending energy markets into volatility and threatening global supply chains. Britain and France, both G7 members, have already signaled willingness to lead demining operations once hostilities pause, according to a senior U.S. administration official who briefed reporters Saturday. The official said Trump expects to formalize allied support for the demining mission during next week's summit in France, turning a military contingency into a coordinated international operation.

The demining discussion represents a pivot from combat to reconstruction, but its success hinges entirely on the durability of any ceasefire agreement. Previous declarations of imminent breakthroughs between Washington and Tehran have collapsed before implementation, leaving diplomats and military planners cautious about declaring victory prematurely.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated Saturday that an agreement to end the war is closer than "ever before" and could be finalized within 24 hours. Pakistan is preparing for electronic signing of the accord, with technical-level talks scheduled to follow immediately next week. The compressed timeline reflects intense diplomatic pressure to stabilize the region before the G7 convenes.

Yet the history of false starts looms large. Multiple sources noted that previous declarations of imminent breakthroughs failed to materialize, creating skepticism about whether this round will prove more durable. Trump is reportedly meeting with aides to make what WDSU described as a "final determination" on the Iran deal, suggesting internal deliberations remain active even as public statements project confidence.

Iran has attached a commercial condition to any reopening of Hormuz: charging ships crossing the strait "for services rendered." This framing treats maritime passage through Iranian territorial waters as a tollable service rather than an international right, potentially establishing a precedent for future revenue extraction. The demand complicates negotiations, as it touches on long-standing disputes over freedom of navigation and sovereignty in narrow international waterways.

The toll proposal also reveals Iran's calculation that it can convert military pressure into economic leverage. Whether allies accept this condition, or whether it becomes a point of renegotiation after any initial agreement, remains unresolved. What is clear is that Tehran does not view demining as a simple return to status quo, but as an opportunity to restructure the commercial terms of Persian Gulf transit.

European powers are seeking Trump's formal backing for a Europe-led demining mission rather than proceeding unilaterally. This procedural deference reflects both the military reality that U.S. naval assets would likely anchor any serious clearance operation and the political reality that Trump has centralized decision-making on Iran policy within his inner circle. The G7 summit provides a stage for Trump to bless the mission while appearing to direct multilateral action.

The optics matter for domestic consumption as well. Framing demining as a Trump-approved, allied operation allows the White House to claim both unilateral leadership and coalition-building success. For Britain and France, securing presidential approval reduces operational risk and provides political cover if the mission encounters setbacks or Iranian resistance during implementation.

If finalized, the agreement would trigger a rapid sequence: electronic signing, technical talks, then phased demining under international coordination. Oil markets, which have priced in supply disruption risk, would likely see immediate volatility as traders assess the pace of strait reopening. Energy analysts will watch whether Iran's toll system materially raises shipping costs or gets absorbed into existing insurance and routing premiums.

If the deal collapses, the G7 demining discussion becomes moot and the region returns to elevated military tension. Trump's pattern of raising expectations before negotiations conclude, noted by WFTV, creates a credibility liability that could amplify market and diplomatic whiplash. Either outcome will become clear within days, as Pakistan's 24-hour timeline and the G7 summit's opening create hard deadlines for a decision that has eluded negotiators for months.