US-Iran talks drift toward confrontation instead of a deal, source claims
A negotiator involved in US-Iran talks said the discussions are moving closer to conflict than to an agreement.
A participant in the Qatar-facilitated negotiations between the United States and Iran told Channel 13 News that the parties remain far from a deal, with the dialogue trending toward a possible clash. The source noted that both sides have hardened their positions, reducing the chance of compromise. Meanwhile, Arab states continue discussions with Iran to broaden maritime passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
In New York, negotiators examined a phased arrangement that would allow Tehran to reopen the strait in exchange for the U.S. ending its economic blockade and possibly unlocking frozen Iranian assets. A senior Iranian official described a staged approach as the most realistic path forward, beginning with the blockade’s removal and Hormuz’s reopening. The talks are complicated by each side’s reluctance to relinquish key leverage without receiving reciprocal concessions, and ensuring any agreement endures remains a major challenge.
