Iran-U.S. 14-hour negotiation ‘fruitless’ but to continue on the 12th; Iran rejects U.S. proposal for ‘joint management of the Strait of Hormuz’; Trump says ‘doesn’t care if an agreement is reached’

Iran-U.S. 14-hour negotiation ‘fruitless’ but to continue on the 12th; Iran rejects U.S. proposal for ‘joint management of the Strait of Hormuz’; Trump says ‘doesn’t care if an agreement is reached’

Negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, have reached an impasse, with sharp differences on three core issues, leaving the direction of the Middle East situation highly uncertain.

According to Xinhua News Agency, citing Iran's Tasnim News Agency and Fars News Agency, local time April 12, the third round of negotiations between Iran and the US has been completed. According to sources, due to the US side making "unreasonable and excessive demands," the two sides failed to reach an understanding on their differences and are working to draft a new text. From the afternoon of the 11th to the early morning of the 12th, the negotiations lasted 14 hours. At the suggestion of Pakistan, the talks were extended by one more day.

According to CCTV World News, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei reported in the early hours of April 12 that both sides exchanged extensive information on major issues such as the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear issues, war compensation, lifting sanctions, and ending the war. Iran stated it is "doing its utmost to safeguard its rights" and emphasized that the success of the diplomatic process depends on the sincerity of the US side, whether the US makes excessive and illegal demands, and whether it accepts Iran's legitimate rights.

Since the 11th, the negotiation agenda between the two sides has been intensive, extending into late night, but sharp differences remain on the three core issues of the control of the Strait of Hormuz, the unfreezing of overseas assets, and uranium enrichment.

As negotiations stalled, the US military announced the start of mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu openly said Israel would continue to strike Iran and its proxies. Diplomatic maneuvering and military actions are escalating in parallel, and the market remains highly vigilant about the uncertainty in the Middle East. Trump stated, he "does not care whether an agreement is reached," and said that the Strait of Hormuz will "open soon" with or without Iran's cooperation.

Strait of Hormuz Control: The Sharpest Disagreement

According to CCTV News, citing two insiders, the issue of control of the Strait of Hormuz is the most prominent disagreement in this round of talks. The Iranian side refuses to accept the US proposal for "joint management," insists on retaining control of the strait, and claims the right to charge "transit fees" from passing ships.

US President Trump said on the 10th, that "with or without Iran's cooperation" the Strait of Hormuz will "open soon." He said the Strait of Hormuz is international waters and he will not allow Iran to charge transit fees for the strait.

Ibrahim Aziz, Chairman of Iran’s Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, wrote on social media on the 11th: Transit through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain permission from the Iranian side.

Asset Unfreezing at Odds, Uranium Enrichment Stalemate

On the issue of asset unfreezing, both sides have their own positions. According to CCTV News, an Iranian senior source said the US has agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks, but US officials quickly denied this claim. The Iranian source stated, unfreezing funds is one of Iran’s key conditions for the US, and the issue of funds is "directly related" to the safe passage arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz. Another Iranian source said the US agreed to unfreeze about $6 billion.

On the uranium enrichment issue, both sides’ positions are equally opposed. Trump said, ensuring Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons is the top priority for the US negotiating team, and the White House characterizes Iran abandoning uranium enrichment as a "non-negotiable red line." Iran insists on maintaining a certain level of enrichment activities, and demands the lifting of restrictions related to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Outside the Negotiating Table, Military Actions Increase Pressure

During the negotiations, military movements outside the talks have also attracted attention. According to CCTV News, US East Coast time on the 11th, the US Central Command announced that two US Navy missile destroyers crossed the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Persian Gulf, claiming that this was part of a mission to thoroughly clear mines laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the strait. The spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters strongly denied this, stating that the crossing rights of any ships in the Strait of Hormuz are entirely controlled by the Iranian armed forces.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu posted on social media on the night of the 11th that Israel, under his leadership, "will continue to strike against the Iranian regime and its proxies." The Israeli Defense Forces also stated that within the past 24 hours, they struck more than 200 Hezbollah targets within Lebanon.

Risk warning and disclaimerThe market involves risks and investments need caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice, nor does it take into account the specific investment goals, financial standing, or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions herein fit their particular situation. Investing based on this information is at one's own risk.