If Iran successfully establishes tolls or requires permission for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, it will have achieved a strategic victory despite tactical military losses.

Iran possesses a stockpile of 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, some of which is located at its underground Fordow facility.

Russia and China vetoed a UN resolution on freedom of navigation partly because they feared it would set a precedent that could be used against them regarding Taiwan.

A key and difficult Iranian demand in negotiations will be a long-term guarantee that Israel will not conduct future strikes against Iran.

China is considered the only country with sufficient influence over Iran to act as a credible guarantor in international agreements.

Jonathan Penikoff expects that Iran's core demands in negotiations will include refusing to stop ballistic missile production and not relinquishing control of the Strait of Hormuz.

As a result of recent military operations, Iran's military, particularly its naval assets and ballistic missile capabilities, has been significantly diminished.

China is the only country with the capacity to purchase enough Iranian oil to allow Iran to generate meaningful revenue.

Iran and Pakistan's interpretation of the ceasefire agreement is that it prohibits Israeli strikes against all Iranian proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.