TEHRAN — Iran and the United States appear to have restarted negotiations and could soon announce a deal, but publicly the two sides are not even agreeing on what those negotiations are about. 

Washington has continued to frame diplomacy around Iran's nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and wider security concerns. Tehran, however, insists that the immediate issue is Hormuz and that any arrangement must recognize Iran's role in managing one of the world's most important energy choke points.

The distinction is more than a dispute over terminology. It reflects a fundamental disagreement over what the recent conflict has changed.

From the Iranian standpoint, the ability to disrupt shipping through Hormuz has emerged as a powerful source of leverage after months of military confrontation. Tehran does not appear to be seeking the permanent closure of the waterway, which would damage its own interests and encourage international efforts to bypass the strait. Instead, it is seeking to convert its ability to influence maritime traffic into a recognized political role.