U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan have hit a dead end over the Strait of Hormuz – FT
12 April 01:15
Negotiations between U.S. and Iranian delegations in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, have reached an “impasse” due to a lack of agreement on control of the Strait of Hormuz, reports the British newspaper The Financial Times, citing two sources familiar with the discussions, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to one of the publication’s sources, Iran insists on control over the strait and the right to levy tolls on ships passing through it. The country’s delegation also rejects the options for “joint control” over the strait proposed by the United States.
Tehran views Washington’s demands as “excessive” and “unacceptable,” the Iranian state news agency Fars reported, citing a source close to the country’s negotiating team.
“It seems that what the U.S. failed to achieve in 40 days of war—through measures such as ship insurance, escorting oil tankers, and other military and economic initiatives—they now hope to easily obtain through negotiations,” the agency’s Telegram channel stated.
CNN: Negotiations may drag on late into the night
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are expected to continue late into the night and will likely continue on April 12, CNN reports, citing a source. The consultations have moved into the “expert stage, ” the Iranian government stated. This means that committees specializing in economic, military, legal, and nuclear issues are joining the negotiations, Iranian authorities explained.
In total, the parties have held two rounds of talks.
Talks in Islamabad
The U.S.-Iran talks, scheduled following the ceasefire reached on the night of April 8, began on April 11 in Islamabad. The U. S . delegation is led by Vice President James David Vance. In addition to him, the group includes Special Envoy to the President Stephen Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The Iranian delegation is led by the country’s Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The talks are taking place in the form of face-to-face meetings, Reuters reports, citing a source. Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner met with Ghalibaf and Araghchi. Representing Pakistan at the discussions is the Chief of Staff of the Pakistani Army.
It is believed that the main topics of the talks, aside from the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz, include the U.S. demand for Iran to hand over approximately 450 kilograms of highly enriched uranium and the cessation of Iranian support for regional allies. Other key issues include the status of Iran’s ballistic missile program and Tehran’s demand for the lifting of U.S. sanctions. Iran also stated that during the discussions, it is “actively pushing the issue” of a complete ceasefire by Israel in southern Lebanon.
