• Source:JND
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US-Iran Peace Talks: Talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad have reportedly hit a 'stalemate' over the control of the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained a major obstacle in negotiations to end the conflict in West Asia.

Strait Of Hormuz Remains Sticking Point In US-Iran Talks

According to a report by The Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the matter, discussions over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remained a sticking point. Iran is insisting on retaining full control of the waterway, while refusing options for joint management of the strait, a source said.

Negotiators are having a work dinner, following which technical-level talks will take place on Saturday night.

ALSO READ: Iran-US Ceasefire Talks Live: Trump Says Hormuz 'Will Soon Be Open'; Another Round Of Negotiations Likely Soon 

US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner reportedly held a two-hour meeting with Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi before a break. The talks are said to be focused on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and extending the ceasefire to Lebanon.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial waterway that handles one-fifth of the world's energy needs. It has been effectively shut by Tehran since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering a sharp spike in global oil prices and widespread disruption across energy markets.

Iran Demands Control Of Hormuz, US Pushes For Free Navigation

Iran is demanding control of the Strait of Hormuz, payment of war reparations, and a ceasefire across the region, including Lebanon, according to Iranian state TV and officials.

The United States, meanwhile, is insisting on free passage for global shipping through the vital waterway and crippling of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme to ensure it cannot produce an atomic bomb in the future.

Trump Claims US Is 'Clearing' Strait Of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said the United States has begun the 'process of clearing out' the Strait of Hormuz after reports that two US warships crossed the waterway, marking the first such transit since the war began on February 28. Iran, however, swiftly pushed back on those claims.

ALSO READ: 2 US Warships Transit Strait Of Hormuz In First Such Passage Since Iran War Began; Tehran Denies

In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, "We're now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favour to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others."

He further said that at least 28 Iranian mine-dropping vessels have been destroyed.


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