US-Iran talks on Strait of Hormuz reach 'deadlock' - FT

Negotiators say talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan have reached a "deadlock" over control of the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reports, writes UNN.

Details

Two sources familiar with the negotiations said discussions on reopening the strait remained a sticking point.

One source said Iran insists it retains control over the waterway and can charge vessels. Iranian negotiators are rejecting "joint control" options, the source said, despite a high-level meeting between US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian wartime leader Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

AP reported that as of 10:21 PM local time in Islamabad (8:21 PM Kyiv time), trilateral in-person talks were ongoing, a senior White House official told reporters traveling with US Vice President JD Vance.

According to one FT source, negotiators were due to hold a working dinner, after which technical discussions were to take place on Saturday evening.

CNN reported that talks between Iran and the US have entered an "expert-level stage" where committees specializing in economic, military, legal, and nuclear issues are meeting each other, the Iranian government announced earlier today on X.

The report added that talks are ongoing to "coordinate technical details."

CNN also noted that US and Iranian delegations, as reported by the Iranian news agency Fars on Saturday, exchanged written documents outlining the issues discussed after the first phase of diplomatic talks in Pakistan concluded.

The Times of Israel indicated that Iranian state media reported two rounds of talks and the expectation of a third.

"According to information provided to state television correspondent by a person close to the negotiating team, another round of talks is likely to take place tonight or tomorrow," Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported.

Meanwhile, an Iranian state television reporter in Islamabad claims that last-ditch efforts are being made to bridge gaps in the negotiations, accusing the US of continuing its "extravagant" demands, amid reports from the Iranian news agency Tasnim that the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the main points of serious disagreement, and that the Islamic Republic insists on maintaining military gains.

Iran's delegation consists of 71 people, including negotiators, experts, media representatives, and security services, state-run Tasnim reported, while the US also brought a "full complement of experts from relevant subject areas," a senior White House official said. "Additional experts" are supporting from Washington, the official added.

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