U.S. Officials Doubt Iran Nuclear Deal After Hormuz Violations

Senior U.S. officials now assess that the chances for a nuclear agreement with Iran are falling after Tehran was accused of firing on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and then privately blaming errant hard-liners. Washington wants Iran to publicly restore normal shipping through the strait and stop attacks on commercial vessels before broader talks can move. Officials also said any final deal must address Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile, with U.S. options still available if Tehran refuses. For Israel, the message is central: diplomacy is useful only if it verifiably blocks Iran's nuclear, missile and maritime leverage.