Tehran says progress made but key issues unresolved
Iran has said that while there has been “progress” in ongoing peace talks with the United States, a final agreement remains distant, with the current ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, said in a televised address that significant differences remain between the two sides.
He said,
“there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain.”
Adding,
“We are still far from the final discussion,”
Ghalibaf, who led Iran’s delegation during the first round of talks in Islamabad last week, also claimed that Tehran had gained the upper hand during the conflict.
He said Iran had been “victorious in the field” and agreed to the ceasefire only after its demands were met.
“If we accepted the ceasefire, it was because they accepted our demands,” he added, referring to Washington.
He further asserted that the US had failed to achieve its objectives and emphasised Iran’s control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route.
No timeline for next round of talks
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said no date has been fixed for the next round of negotiations.
Speaking on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum in Antalya, he said Tehran is focused on finalising a “framework of understanding” before proceeding further.
Reports had earlier suggested that the next round of talks could take place in Islamabad, but no official confirmation has been made.
Trump warns Iran amid ongoing talks
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that “very good conversations” were taking place with Iran, but issued a warning against attempts to pressure Washington.
Speaking at a White House event, Trump said,
“We’re talking to them. They wanted to close up the strait again — you know, as they’ve been doing for years — and they can’t blackmail us,”
He added that there would be “some information” on Iran later in the day and said,
“We’re taking a tough stand.”
Trump had earlier warned of renewed military action, saying he could “start dropping bombs again” if a long-term agreement is not reached before the ceasefire expires.
Strategic stakes remain high
The Strait of Hormuz continues to be a focal point in the standoff, with nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through the route.
As the ceasefire deadline approaches, uncertainty remains over whether both sides can bridge differences and avoid a fresh escalation in the region.
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