Reaching a short-term result in negotiations is unrealistic! Trump says "the goal is to force Iran to abandon the development of nuclear weapons," while Iran's Supreme Leader "regards both nuclear and missile capabilities as national assets."
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The fundamental differences between Iran and the U.S. on the nuclear issue are intensifying the deadlock in negotiations between the two sides.
On May 1 local time, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghai made it clear in a TV program that it is unrealistic to expect Iran-U.S. negotiations to quickly produce results. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump claimed at a White House press conference that recent U.S. military actions have "destroyed" Iran's nuclear capabilities and significantly weakened its overall military strength. He emphasized that the U.S. goal is to force Iran to abandon the development of nuclear weapons, while also facilitating a quick resolution of the situation through negotiations.
The gap between the positions of the two countries is clear. On the same day, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei delivered a speech, characterizing nuclear and missile technology as “national assets” that must be defended. The uncertainty over negotiations directly affects the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a vital passageway for about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas, which remains blockaded.
It’s noteworthy that, according to reports, satellite images show Iran's oil storage facilities are nearly full, forcing the use of retired oil tankers for storage. Energy data agencies estimate all oil storage will hit maximum capacity within 12 to 22 days. In addition to using old tankers, Iran has also deployed makeshift containers and abandoned tanks at southern oil hubs like Ahvaz and Asaluyeh to increase storage capacity.
Iran: Short-Term Negotiation Results Unrealistic
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghai stated that in the 47 years since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Iran has accumulated “deep distrust and suspicion” regarding U.S. actions.
He said bluntly: “One should not expect negotiations to reach results in a short time, after all, this is an extremely bloody war.”
Baghai also pointed out that the U.S. and Israel are “extremely brutal,” as evidenced by the two and a half years of conflict in Gaza and Lebanon. He stressed, “In such circumstances, no matter who the mediator is, it’s unrealistic to expect an agreement in a short time.”
This statement, in fact, sends a signal to the market: the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely to be resolved through diplomatic means in the short term.
Trump: The Goal is to Force Iran to Abandon Nuclear Weapons
According to CCTV News, on April 30 at a White House press conference, Trump claimed that recent U.S. military actions had “destroyed” Iran’s nuclear capability and greatly weakened its overall military strength. He said Iran’s navy and air force are “almost gone,” about 82% of drone factories have been weakened, missile factories are nearly 90% damaged, and most missile systems have been destroyed.
Trump said that if action was not taken, Iran “might acquire nuclear weapons,” “which must absolutely not be allowed to happen.” He emphasized the U.S. goal is to force Iran to abandon nuclear weapons development and promote a rapid negotiation to resolve the situation.
However, he also acknowledged that negotiations are stalled, and said that Iran’s leadership and military have been “almost destroyed,” making it difficult to know “who is in charge,” and complicating negotiations.
Iran's Supreme Leader: Nuclear and Missile Technology are "National Assets"
According to a Xinhua report on April 30, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei delivered a tough-worded address on “National Persian Gulf Day.”
He stated, “The 90 million proud and honorable Iranians, both at home and abroad, regard their identity, spiritual beliefs, humanities, scientific, industrial, and technological capabilities—from nanotechnology, biotechnology to nuclear (technology), missile (technology)—as national assets, and will defend them just as they protect their territorial waters, land, and airspace.”
This stands in direct opposition to Trump’s stated goal of “forcing Iran to abandon nuclear weapons.” The nuclear issue is the central sticking point in negotiations and a key variable in market expectations regarding the situation’s direction.
Mojtaba also stated that Iran will ensure the security of the Persian Gulf region, and the “new management model” for the Strait of Hormuz will bring peace, development, and economic benefits to all surrounding countries. He also said U.S. military bases “do not have the ability to ensure their own safety” and that the U.S. presence in the region is “the most important factor causing insecurity.”
Iran’s Oil Storage Tanks Near Full Capacity, Retired Oil Tankers Used for Storage
The ongoing blockade is exerting real pressure on Iran’s oil exports.
According to media reports, satellite images from April 29 show an aging oil tanker, about 30 years old, recently appeared near Khark Island, a key Iranian oil export hub. Saudi TV reported that this very large crude carrier called “Nasha” flies the Iranian flag, is about 332 meters long and 58 meters wide, and can carry about 2 million barrels of crude oil. The ship had previously been retired and laid up for a long time, but has now been urgently recommissioned as a floating oil storage unit.
Satellite images also show several laden Iranian oil tankers anchored near the port of Chabahar. The port is outside the Strait of Hormuz, within the U.S. blockade line. The large gathering of tankers further underscores that Iran continues to load crude oil onto ships, but has no outlets for export.
Energy data analysis firm Kpler estimates that with Iran’s current oil production and storage capacity, all national oil storage will be saturated in 12 to 22 days.
According to media reports, besides using retired tankers, Iran has deployed temporary containers and abandoned tanks at southern oil hubs like Ahvaz and Asaluyeh to boost storage capacity. If storage reaches saturation, Iran may have to drastically cut oil production or even shut down oil wells entirely. But a sudden shutdown could cause permanent damage to old oil fields.
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