Iran has linked any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to conditions including an end to the US blockade, sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
Diplomatic efforts to broker a breakthrough between the United States and Iran have made little progress, with neither side showing signs of backing down, according to a report by Axios.
Qatari mediators have been working to find common ground between the two sides, but three sources familiar with the talks told Axios that negotiations remain deadlocked.
The stalemate is raising concerns that the US-Iran conflict could return to major combat operations.
Qatari Mediation Fails To Bridge Gap
Qatari mediator Ali al-Thawadi held several hours of talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team in New York on Monday, where they discussed a two-page Qatari compromise proposal.
The proposal reportedly sought to address Iran’s demand for an end to the US naval blockade and Washington’s call for concessions on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Al-Thawadi later met US envoy Jared Kushner and other American officials in Washington, with Vice President JD Vance attending part of the meeting.
One source told Axios: “It is stuck. The Iranians are asking for things the US can’t accept and the US thinks it is winning so there is no need for compromise.”
Qatari officials are expected to continue their mediation efforts but are increasingly frustrated, according to two sources.
Hormuz Remains Key Sticking Point
Iran has linked any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to conditions including an end to the US blockade, sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said Qatari mediators had presented ideas and were expected to convey the US response to Tehran.
Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had also warned that regional infrastructure could face attacks if Iran’s security was not guaranteed.
“In a region where we cannot sell oil, no one else will sell oil either; or if our security is not guaranteed, no infrastructure will remain safe,” Ghalibaf said, according to Iranian state media.