Indirect talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the conflict have continued since February 28, but Iranian officials are skeptical of US intentions. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said no agreement will be signed without fully securing "the rights of the Iranian people," and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called media reports "mere conjecture," stressing that final outcomes remain unclear. Tehran continues to exchange texts with Washington, but a source in Iran noted that any changes introduced by Trump are not binding on the Iranian side.
Harder statements come from the American side: the new version of Trump's proposal includes strict conditions on the nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz. The US president said in an interview with Fox News that he had received guarantees from Tehran not to produce or buy nuclear weapons, but the Iranian side denies this. The Pentagon chief warned of the possibility of resuming military action if talks fail, keeping the military option as a fallback.
The main contentious issue is the nuclear program: Washington insists on long-term restrictions on uranium enrichment, while Tehran demands the de facto lifting of sanctions before any commitments. Discussions include a potential unfreezing of Iranian assets worth $12 billion, but Trump denied any cash transfers. The talks are hampered by mutual distrust: Iran does not trust US promises, while the American side insists on inspections and strict oversight.
The Strait of Hormuz has become the second key point of contention: Iran insists on sovereignty over this strategic waterway, while the US demands freedom of navigation. A representative of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that control of the strait is "more important than possessing nuclear weapons." Against this background, French President Emmanuel Macron has stepped up diplomacy, holding talks with leaders of the Gulf states and proposing a multinational mission to restore sea traffic in accordance with international law.
The fate of the talks remains murky: on one hand, a phased compromise that reduces tensions is possible; on the other, a complete breakdown of dialogue and a return to military escalation. Iran continues to insist on its conditions, and the US is preparing for any scenario, including a use-of-force option. Experts warn that the issue may be resolved not so much at the negotiating table as under pressure from regional and international dynamics, where the ambitions of the parties and external actors like France play a key role.
Comments on the story
- Who is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and what role does he play in Iranian politics? — Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has been speaker of Iran's parliament (Majlis) since 2020. Previously he was mayor of Tehran and commander of the IRGC Air Force. Ghalibaf is an influential conservative close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His role is to promote legislation supporting a hard line on the nuclear program and regional policy.
- Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important to Iran and how is it linked to the nuclear talks? — The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint in the Persian Gulf through which up to 20% of the world’s oil passes. Iran uses the threat of closing the strait as leverage in nuclear talks: in the event of sanctions or a military threat, Tehran could disrupt global oil supplies to force the West into concessions.
- What is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and how does it influence Iran’s foreign policy? — The IRGC is an elite military-political formation subordinate to the Supreme Leader. It controls the missile program, supports proxy forces (for example, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen), and manages key sectors of the economy. The IRGC directly shapes Iran’s foreign policy, often acting more hardline than diplomatic institutions, especially in confrontations with the US and Israel.
Full version: طهران تشكك وترمب يتشدد.. ما الذي أخر مستجدات مباحثات واشنطن وطهران؟