Overview
- Iran confirmed on Thursday that it is reviewing Washington’s latest position delivered through Pakistani mediators and Pakistani officials are in Tehran to narrow remaining gaps.
- President Donald Trump said this week he will wait a few days for what he called the “right answers” but warned that the U.S. is ready to resume military strikes if talks fail.
- Key sticking points include limits on Iran’s nuclear enrichment, control and fees for the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and frozen assets, and the presence of U.S. forces in the region.
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened retaliation beyond the Middle East if attacks resume, and both sides’ rhetoric keeps the risk of wider escalation high.
- The dispute is already squeezing global energy supplies because Iran has restricted Hormuz traffic and the U.S. enforces a naval blockade, raising oil prices and political pressure for a quick diplomatic outcome.