Negotiations to end the war between the United States and Iran have advanced in recent days, but still face impasses considered central by both parties.
While Washington and Tehran try to transform the current ceasefire into a lasting agreement, issues such as the Iranian nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, the end of economic sanctions and military action in the region continue to hamper a definitive understanding.
US President Donald Trump, amid diplomatic discussions mediated by Pakistan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the sides still disagree on specific points in the text of the agreement.
“Negotiations are progressing in an orderly and constructive manner,” Trump said in recent days, while reinforcing that the US will not “rush into an agreement.”
Despite diplomatic progress, the climate in the region remains tense. The and attack Iranian merchant ships and areas near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian government classified the actions as proof of “deception and betrayal” on the part of Washington.
The US confirmed that it carried out attacks on Iranian positions near the strait, claiming protection for American troops in the region.
What stage are the negotiations at?
According to Iranian officials, many conclusions have already been reached in a possible memorandum of understanding with around 14 main points. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said this does not mean a deal is close to being finalized.
The proposal under discussion provides for a gradual end to hostilities and would allow a period of up to 60 days for deeper negotiations on issues considered more complex, especially the Iranian nuclear program.
Iranian diplomat Hossein Nooshabadi told the ISNA news agency on Monday that the possible preliminary agreement included an end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, the release of blocked Iranian assets, the lifting of the US naval blockade and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the withdrawal of US forces from the vicinity of Iran and the freedom to sell Iranian oil.
According to Nooshabadi, the preliminary text does not include direct commitments on Iran’s nuclear program, precisely one of the main points of disagreement with Washington.
What’s missing for an agreement?
Iranian nuclear program
The main concern of the United States and Israel is the uranium enrichment carried out by Tehran. Washington accuses Iran of seeking the capacity to develop nuclear weapons, something the Iranian government denies.
One of the proposals discussed involves an extended moratorium on uranium enrichment, in addition to the export or dilution of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched material.
An American government source stated that Iran had agreed “in principle” to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, but Tehran officially denied any commitment in this regard.
Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the most sensitive points in negotiations. The maritime passage concentrates a significant part of the world’s oil trade.
Iran considers control of the region a strategic asset and wants to maintain influence over local shipping. The United States is already pushing for the guarantee of free international movement in the strait.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard said 25 vessels crossed Hormuz in the last 24 hours after security coordination with the Iranian Navy.
Economic sanctions and frozen assets
Iran demands an end to US sanctions and the release of billions of dollars in Iranian assets blocked in foreign banks.
The Iranian economy has faced years of economic pressure and high inflation because of international restrictions. Tehran also demands compensation for damages caused during the war.
Ballistic missiles
Another sensitive topic involves Iranian ballistic missiles. Before the conflict, Washington demanded limits on the range of these weapons, especially to prevent direct threats against Israel.
Iran, however, refuses to discuss its arsenal, claiming that conventional weapons are part of its national sovereignty.
How can the agreement move forward?
If the memorandum of understanding is approved by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, it will be sent to the country’s supreme leader for final approval.
According to American sources, Washington believes that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has already supported the general framework of the negotiations.
If the first phase of the agreement is implemented, the parties must begin a new round of specific negotiations on the nuclear program during the 60-day period provided for in the text.
The challenge, however, remains to transform diplomatic advances into concrete commitments while military attacks continue to take place in different parts of the Middle East.
(With input from Maureen Chowdhury and Mohammed Tawfeeq of CNNby Parisa Hafesi, Angus Mcdowall by Michael Georgy, da Reuters)
