Hormuz, nuclear demands and mistrust: Why Iran says US talks failed
Iranian media and officials have blamed US “maximalist demands” for the collapse of marathon talks in Islamabad, citing deep divisions over control of the Strait of Hormuz, uranium enrichment and war compensation. Tehran insists that strategic gains achieved during the conflict will not be negotiated away.
Iranian officials and state‑affiliated media framed the failure of 21 hours of US‑Iran negotiations in Islamabad as the result of Washington’s “unreasonable demands,” pointing to irreconcilable differences over the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear policy and compensation for war damages. The talks, held under a fragile two‑week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan with support from Türkiye, China, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, ended without an agreement.
Hormuz and Nuclear Red Lines
Iranian media reported that control of the Strait of Hormuz was a central point of contention, with Tehran insisting the waterway would remain under the full control of Iran’s armed forces and would not return to its pre‑war management system. On the nuclear file, US demands reportedly included halting enrichment activities and removing approximately 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% from Iran. Iranian officials rejected both the transfer of enriched uranium abroad and a full suspension of nuclear activities, framing enrichment as a sovereign right.
Compensation and Broader Demands
Tehran also insisted that war compensation be a core component of any agreement, linking it to accountability for damage caused during US and Israeli attacks. Sanctions relief and its sequencing remained unresolved, while the scope of a broader regional ceasefire – including developments in Lebanon – was another key area of disagreement. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that while some progress had been made, “significant gaps remained on two to three key topics.”
Advertisement
Diplomacy Continues, But Strategy Unchanged
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation, said Iran entered the talks with goodwill but that it is now up to Washington to decide whether it can “earn” Tehran’s trust. Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref declared that Iran will defend its rights “from the Strait of Hormuz to pursuing compensation,” signalling that strategic gains achieved during the conflict will not be conceded at the negotiating table. While the talks ended without a deal, Iranian media suggested the process may continue through diplomatic channels, but the path to a near‑term agreement remains highly uncertain.
Comments you share on our site are a valuable resource for other users. Please be respectful of different opinions and other users. Avoid using rude, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminatory language.