Richard Weitz, an international security expert at the Nato Defence College, has said the expected deal between the US and Iran is likely to be a phased one.

“It sounds like it’s a phased deal, with a couple of provisions executed quickly, such as opening the Strait of Hormuz,” he told Al Jazeera, adding that “other [matters] to be dealt with later, such as the nuclear question”.

“There is always the risk that you could start off well enough, but then they get bogged down in details later, and that leads to the reimposition or reversal of the achievements of the first phase,” he added.

Regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, Weitz said it is also important for Iran, which needs to export its oil, as well as the US’s Gulf allies and the world economy.