Proposed US-Iran Deal Hinges on Risky Plan of Sequenced Rewards

A central element of President Donald Trump’s emerging Iran deal is a step-by-step approach that would see the Strait of Hormuz reopened followed by Tehran getting economic rewards each time it meets US demands.

That sequencing, described to reporters by a senior US official on Friday, formalizes a cautious approach designed to prevent the White House from getting caught out as it tries to end its months-old conflict with Iran and eradicate its nuclear program for good. But it also means there will be many opportunities for the deal to fall apart.

Neither the US nor Iran has given ...