Pakistan – Islamabad – The Islamabad talks between Washington and Tehran continued until late after Saturday midnight. No official statement has been issued regarding the results of this marathon round so far. Field leaks indicate the persistence of deep disagreements over thorny regional files. The issue of the Hormuz Strait tops the list of major dispute points between the two delegations. The secrecy of the talks reflects the sensitivity of the current stage and the difficulty of reaching compromise solutions. International powers are monitoring the results of this stalled dialogue with great caution.
Fundamental Disputes Over Hormuz and Washington’s Demands
Media reports stated that American demands were met with a categorical Iranian rejection. Tehran considers Washington’s conditions “unacceptable” and directly affecting its national sovereignty. Iranian media described these pressures as “excessive demands” that complicate the path of Islamabad talks between Washington and Tehran. The dispute centers on the mechanism of navigation management and ensuring ship security in the strait. This divergence led to the absence of any clear indicators of progress toward ending the war. A state of pessimism prevails regarding the possibility of announcing an imminent deal in the coming hours.
US Military Movements in the Strait and Trump’s Statements
In parallel with the dialogue, the US Central Command announced significant naval movements. Two warships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on a specialized mission to remove sea mines. President Donald Trump confirmed the start of the operation to “open” the strait to ensure global freedom of navigation. Trump noted that Iran is incurring significant economic losses due to the current situation. These military operations took place without prior coordination with the Iranian side. These field steps further complicate the atmosphere surrounding the Islamabad talks between Washington and Tehran.
Possibilities of Extending Talks and Returning for Consultations
The Iranian “Tasnim” agency mentioned that the option of extending negotiations for an additional day remains on the table. Both delegations may be forced to return to their capitals for final political consultations. This measure aims to review technical proposals presented in the Islamabad talks between Washington and Tehran. Resuming dialogue in subsequent rounds remains the most likely scenario in case of current failure. Diplomatic circles fear the impact of this round’s failure on regional stability. The world remains in anticipation of the first official briefing from the Pakistani capital.
