"If Iran Gives Up Its Nuclear Program, $18 Billion Will Be Released"... The Steroid-Like Price Tag Behind the Strait of Hormuz's '30-Day Normalization'

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[Financial News] The real price tag behind the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz between the United States and Iran is beginning to take shape. The outline is clear: a tightly packed timeline calling for 100% normalization within 30 days, and a powerful incentive in the form of conditional release of 18 trillion won, or $12 billion, in assets.
According to diplomatic sources cited by The Washington Post (WP) on the 24th local time, the latest draft memorandum of understanding being coordinated by the two sides includes a strong clause requiring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately upon signing and fully restore traffic to prewar levels within 30 days.
The agreement would also immediately end military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
But beneath the flashy banner of "reopening," the two sides remain locked in a fierce battle of calculations. During the 60-day ceasefire extension period, mine clearance and the reopening of the strait would take place, but the two countries still have very different ideas about the price.
Iran is demanding a strictly phased reopening. It says the United States must first release $12 billion in frozen assets and lift the maritime blockade before mine-clearing operations can begin. The most sensitive issue, Iran's nuclear program, was not included in this MOU and will be addressed later at the negotiating table.
The United States, by contrast, is taking a firm line.
A senior Trump administration official said not a single dollar of assets will be released until Iran takes concrete action to give up its "HEU stockpile." The easing of the U.S. maritime blockade will also be tied strictly to Iran's actions. The official described the arrangement as "'Trust but verify' on steroids."
It is a chilling warning that Washington will not loosen the financial spigot until Iran clearly surrenders and disposes of its uranium.
Trump also continued his brinkmanship on Social media. He said, "My deal is the exact opposite of Obama's giveaway nuclear deal," and told the U.S. negotiating team, "Time is on our side, so don't rush into a deal."
In the end, the success of this 60-day ceasefire framework will depend on the additional details expected to emerge on the 25th, and on which side moves first on the issues of "giving up nuclear weapons" and "releasing assets."
Global capital markets and the energy market are watching closely as Trump and Khamenei engage in a high-stakes game of chicken under a suffocating 30-day deadline.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter