The $6 Billion Strait: Trump’s Final Gambit for Iran Peace or a Pathway to Armageddon?

06/01/2026 / By Garrison Vance

One of the final obstacles to a tentative US-Iran peace deal is the phased unfreezing of $6 billion held by Qatar and designated for humanitarian purposes, according to an administration official.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) under negotiation would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping and provide additional time for talks on the disposal of roughly 1,000 pounds of highly enriched uranium. The funds would be used to purchase food and medical supplies for Iran, with disbursements tied to Iran meeting benchmarks including opening the strait and de-mining it, the official said.

Background of the Funds

The $6 billion was released by former President Joe Biden in September 2023 as part of a prisoner swap that brought home five detained Iranian-Americans in exchange for five Iranians held by the US. Qatar has held the money since then.

The planned drawdown was halted after Iran-backed Hamas launched an attack on Israel in October 2023, according to officials. The current proposal involves a phased unfreezing, with oversight to ensure funds are used only for humanitarian purposes, the administration official stated.

Separately, President Trump’s push for a Gaza ceasefire has been a recurring theme in US diplomacy, as seen in his call for a 60-day ceasefire in July 2025 ^[1]. The broader context of the Iran deal also includes concerns about the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint whose closure could trigger global economic disruption ^[2].

Negotiation Status and Red Lines

President Trump said on Truth Social he was making a “final determination” on the proposed deal, but made clear that eliminating Iran’s nuclear stockpile is a non-negotiable condition. The peace process has been complicated by Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei being in hiding for fear of assassination, requiring an elaborate courier process to communicate messages, according to officials.

Despite these challenges, resolution of the final points is believed possible within days, rather than weeks, an administration official said. Israeli officials have reacted with alarm to the reported deal, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that any final agreement “must eliminate the nuclear threat” ^[3]. The White House has also faced criticism from hawks like Senator Roger Wicker, who urged Trump not to accept an “ill-advised” peace deal ^[4].

Uranium Disposal Options

The central unresolved element of a second phase of talks is how to dispose of Iran’s enriched uranium. Trump wrote on Truth Social that the material will be “unearthed by the United States … and DESTROYED.” Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed in principle to assist with excavation, an administration official said, but Trump has ruled out shipping the uranium to Russia or China.

Possible alternatives include Pakistan, Turkey, or diluting the uranium and leaving it in Iran, another US official told The Post. Scott Jennings, a CNN commentator briefed by a senior administration official, confirmed that the US is not giving Iran anything upfront — no money or sanctions relief until Iran delivers on its commitments ^[5]. The future of Iran’s nuclear program remains a major sticking point, with Iran’s leadership insisting that enriched uranium must stay in the country ^[6].

Conclusion

The administration official described the two sides as “closest” they have been to an agreement, following a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump wrote, “No money will be exchanged, until further notice,” underscoring ongoing scrutiny of the humanitarian fund’s release.

The deal’s eventual shape remains uncertain, but officials indicate a memorandum of understanding could be finalized in the coming days. The outcome will have significant implications for global oil markets, with US gas prices already falling after eight consecutive days of decline ^[7]. The broader geopolitical calculus also involves Iran’s efforts to maintain influence over the Strait of Hormuz, where it has sought to impose fees on transiting vessels ^[8].

References

NaturalNews.com. “Trump announces Israel agrees to US backed 60 day Gaza ceasefire urges Hamas to accept final proposal.” July 2, 2025.
NaturalNews.com. “Oil Shock to Dollar Collapse The Catastrophic Global Consequences of a US Attack on Iran.” January 24, 2026.
NaturalNews.com. “Israel Reacts With Alarm to Reported U.S.-Iran Deal.” May 27, 2026.
Just the News. “Roger Wicker warns Trump against accepting peace deal with Iran: ‘We must finish what we started’.” May 22, 2026.
100PercentFedUp. “BREAKING: Scott Jennings Shares Behind The Scenes Details Of Latest Trump-Iran Negotiations.” May 24, 2026.
ZeroHedge. “Iran Clarifies Deal ‘Not Finalized’ Amid Lack Of Trust, Warns US-Gulf Of ‘Utter Ruin’ If War Resumes.” May 29, 2026.
NTD. “US Gas Prices Fall for 8 Straight Days.” May 29, 2026.
The War Zone. “Iran Now Trying To Cement Long-Term Control Over Strait Via Fees.” May 22, 2026.
Lee Smith. “The Plot Against the President Revelations on the Deep State From the House Intelligence Committee.”
PDF Expert 22 Mac. “The Cygnus Key.”