Iran and the United States have failed to make progress in talks aimed at reviving an interim agreement linked to ending the war in the Persian Gulf and restoring the free flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported, citing a senior Iranian source.
The two sides have been discussing through intermediaries whether to return to an agreement reached in June and how its obligations would be implemented. However, Tehran says no progress has been made so far.
Why Have Iran And The US Failed To Reach A Deal?
Iran has accused Washington of violating the previous arrangements, pointing to the blockade of Iranian ports and the freezing of Iranian assets. The United States, meanwhile, maintains that Tehran has failed to meet its commitments under the agreement, which was intended to facilitate the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
“There has been absolutely no progress on this issue,” the Iranian source told Reuters.
The source also rejected a report by Turkey’s Anadolu news agency claiming that Iran and the US had agreed to extend the 60-day duration of the interim agreement.
According to the Iranian position, the 60-day period never came into effect, meaning there is no agreement period that can be extended.
What Is The Latest On The Strait Of Hormuz?
Iranian authorities have continued to maintain that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. The disruption to one of the world’s key shipping routes has raised concerns over its impact on global energy markets and the wider economy. US President Donald Trump has said Washington is considering several options for dealing with Iran as negotiations remain stalled.
“They are very shrewd negotiators,” Trump said, according to Reuters. Trump said one option would be to wait for Iran’s economic situation to deteriorate, while another would involve launching a “very strong strike” against the country. He also claimed that Iran was facing serious financial difficulties and said Washington had control over Iranian funds that had been frozen.
What Has Trump Said About Iran Talks?
Trump announced a new round of negotiations with Iran earlier this month. On August 5, he described talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz as “very good” and said shipping could resume “very soon”. On August 11, Trump said the US had full control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest developments indicate that efforts to restore the interim agreement remain deadlocked, with both sides maintaining different positions over the terms and implementation of the deal. The situation remains closely watched as the continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz threatens to prolong uncertainty over regional security and international shipping.
