ISLAMABAD, (PIC)
Negotiation rounds between the United States and Iran ended without achieving a tangible breakthrough, in a scene reflecting the depth of differences over strategic files, foremost of which are the nuclear program and regional influence, despite the temporary truce announced by Washington to open a window for the diplomatic path.
The American Vice President J.D. Vance announced on Sunday that talks with Tehran did not lead to an agreement, noting his departure from Islamabad after presenting what he described as the “final and best offer” to the Iranian side, in an indication that Washington is still granting Tehran time to review it.
In contrast, a source close to the Iranian negotiation team told Fars news agency that Tehran does not currently plan to hold a new round of talks, considering that the American side was looking for a justification to withdraw from the dialogue table, in light of its adherence to a high ceiling of demands.
According to the same source, Washington proposed conditions during the negotiations that it was unable to impose through the military option, which contributed to complicating the path of understandings. Iranian television also indicated that what it described as “United States’ greed” formed the main obstacle to reaching an agreement or even a common framework.
The New York Times quoted Iranian officials familiar with the progress of the talks that Washington demanded Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately during the ongoing negotiations.
According to the same sources, the Iranian delegation refused to respond to this request, stressing that the reopening of the Strait will only take place within a final and comprehensive agreement between the two sides.
In the context, Axios website quoted an informed source as saying that part of the differences is due to Iranian demands related to control over the Strait of Hormuz, which was met with great reservations, alongside Tehran’s insistence on not giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium.
For his part, the Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed his hope for the continued commitment of both parties to the ceasefire, calling for it to be maintained after the end of the negotiation rounds, and confirming that his country will continue mediation efforts to bring viewpoints closer and support the path of dialogue between the two sides.
For his part, US President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of imposing a naval blockade on Iran in the event of its non-acceptance of the recent American offer, in a step he described as a “pressure card” to force Tehran to reach an agreement, according to what was reported by international media.
Navigation data showed the crossing of at least 19 cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz since the morning of yesterday, Saturday 11 April, in the highest daily movement pace recorded since the outbreak of the war.
According to the data, the transit movement was distributed between six gas tankers, and four tankers including three crude oil tankers and a ship for transporting asphalt (bitumen), in addition to nine various cargo ships, among them ships for bulk cargo, general cargo, and containers, alongside car shipments and other types of specialized goods.
This escalation comes in light of the continuation of tensions between Washington and Tehran, and the stumbling of ongoing negotiations between the two sides, amidst mutual threats and a sharp divergence over key files, most notably the Iranian nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.
