Negotiations between Iran and the United States were complicated by differing positions on opening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the naval blockade, and the future of the Iranian nuclear program, so the chances of reaching a settlement decreased. What are the most prominent points of disagreement between the two parties?

Published on: 04/30/2026 - 04:24

Talks between the United States and Iran have stalled without reaching an agreement to end the war that broke out in late February, and has so far resulted in the deaths of thousands and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime artery for the global economy.

The following are the main points of disagreement between the two parties:

Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz

With the outbreak of the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, Iran almost completely closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which an important part of the world's oil, gas, and fertilizer exports cross in peacetime, which caused widespread disruption to the global economy.

Tehran also planted mines in the sea lane, and decided to impose fees on the passage of ships, a measure that was met with explicit rejection by Washington and the United Nations International Maritime Organization.

On April 17, Iran announced the reopening of the strait to commercial ships, but it quickly retracted this step, justifying this by the continued US blockade imposed on its ports.

Reports in American media indicate that Tehran has expressed its willingness to ease restrictions imposed on the Strait of Hormuz if Washington lifts the naval blockade, allowing negotiations to resume. However, according to these reports, President Donald Trump is unlikely to agree to this proposal.

Read also: Trump: The United States “defeated Iran militarily”

American blockade on Iranian ports

Following the collapse of the first round of talks hosted by Islamabad after the ceasefire took effect on April 8, Trump ordered a blockade of Iranian ports.

Tehran saw this action as an “act of war” that constitutes a direct violation of the declared truce.

Under the weight of this siege, the Iranian economy is suffering increasing losses, as the value of the riyal has fallen to its lowest level against the dollar since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979.

A senior White House official revealed on Wednesday that Donald Trump discussed during a meeting held on Tuesday with officials in the oil sector the option of maintaining the naval blockade of Iran's ports "for several months."

According to the Wall Street Journal, the US Navy is receiving instructions to continue the strategy of stifling Iranian oil exports until Tehran responds to Washington's demands.

However, the US President is facing increasing pressure at home to find a way out of the crisis of high fuel prices, an issue that is gaining greater political weight as the midterm elections approach in November, at a time when opinion polls show that the war does not enjoy widespread support in American circles.

Iranian nuclear program

At the beginning of the war, Trump accused Iran of “trying to rebuild its nuclear program” after the Israeli-American strikes that targeted its nuclear facilities in June 2025, and said in a speech in February that Tehran “rejected every opportunity to abandon its nuclear ambitions, and we can no longer tolerate that.”

As for Iran, it denies seeking to possess nuclear weapons, and insists on its right to develop a civilian nuclear program, especially for the purposes of energy production.

In recent developments, Tehran has been pushing to postpone talks related to the nuclear file, preferring to focus discussions on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz and the security of navigation in it.

For his part, the US President requires that Iran hand over its stock of highly enriched uranium, and he made this condition a pivotal requirement, especially after he withdrew the United States in 2018 from the international agreement concluded in 2015 regarding the Iranian nuclear program, and re-imposed severe sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

On Tuesday, Trump renewed his position, saying that the United States “will never allow this opponent (Iran) to obtain nuclear weapons,” adding that the Islamic Republic was “defeated militarily.”

On the other hand, Iranian officials insist that their country remains steadfast and strong despite the pressure.

During an official visit to Russia on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held the US administration responsible for the faltering peace talks, saying that Washington was clinging to “exaggerated demands.”

France 24/AFP

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