U.S.-Iran Talks Center on Hormuz and Nuclear Program as Trump Rejects Concessions
Negotiations remain stalled over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program, while Qatar works on a revised seven-day proposal.
U.S.-Iran negotiations remain focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program, with the impasse weighing on energy markets and broader risk sentiment.
The United States has told mediators that Iran must provide a firm commitment to reopen the waterway and make progress on its nuclear program before an agreement can be reached. Trump denied offering sanctions waivers or the release of frozen Iranian assets in exchange for concessions.
Qatar is mediating a revised version of Iran’s proposed seven-day plan. Iran’s foreign minister met with mediators in New York, but no U.S. representative attended. Iran has outlined conditions for reopening the strait and discussed a proposal to be delivered to Washington through Qatar.
The talks are taking place before the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections. Iran remains skeptical that the Trump administration would honor an agreement, while Trump has also questioned whether a deal can be reached before the vote.
A June memorandum briefly supported a ceasefire and increased shipping through the strait, but the arrangement collapsed in less than two weeks. Traffic remains well below pre-conflict levels, and Brent crude futures rose 2% Monday to about $106.20 a barrel.
