Iran-US talks collapse over Hormuz and nuclear demands

High-stakes direct talks between Iran and the United States hosted by Pakistan concluded early Sunday without an agreement, Iranian media reports said. The negotiations, seen as the most significant face-to-face dialogue between the two nations since 1979, failed to produce a common framework.

Tehran rejects ‘excessive US demands’

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that the talks collapsed due to “excessive US demands” that blocked progress. According to the agency, the Iranian delegation repeatedly introduced new initiatives and proposals to move negotiations forward, but “the American spirit of excessive demands” prevented any breakthrough. Pakistan reportedly made efforts from early Sunday to arrange another round and exchange draft texts, but those attempts ultimately failed.

Hormuz, nuclear program at center of dispute

Iran’s Fars News Agency detailed that Tehran rejected US demands related to the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, and the removal of nuclear material from the country. Fars added that Washington was seeking “through negotiations what it failed to achieve in war.” The agency also suggested that the US delegation appeared to be looking for a pretext to leave the table and was unwilling to reduce its demands despite the deadlock reached during the war with Iran. No date or location has been announced for a new round of talks.