Iran and the United States concluded a round of indirect talks on Wednesday with no sign they had made headway toward a lasting peace, focusing instead on issues that they said had been resolved when an interim agreement was announced two weeks ago.
Informal talks majorly focused on discussing the maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and unfreezing Iran's funds, two critical issues under the initial agreement.
The mediation anchored by Qatar and Pakistan did not focused on denuclearisation of Iran's nuclear program, for which USA along with Israel launched war on Iran
As reported by the Reuters, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that matter would be addressed later. “Obviously, we're worried about the nuclear issue, we're going to start talking about that," he told.
Who Controls the Strait?
The initial deal requires Iran and the United States to permit the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which previously carried one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas trade before the conflict.
Although some traffic has resumed, the broader situation in this strategic waterway remains unclear, and the two countries exchanged strikes last weekend following an Iranian attack on a cargo ship.
Iran is resolute in securing international recognition of its authority over the strait, even if it must resort to force, according to two senior Iranian sources.
Iran has repeatedly stated that it will begin imposing tolls on shipping in mid-August, once the toll-free period stipulated in the original agreement comes to an end.
Trump's comments on Wednesday played down the possibility of a return to all-out war with Iran. "I think they've come a long way," he said.
Oil prices fell to their lowest level in four months following Trump's remarks, and analysts cut their price forecasts for the first time since the war began.
Iran's state media said on Wednesday that a foreign container ship had run aground in shallow waters outside the shipping route designated by Iranian authorities.
Several European countries have offered to help clear mines from the Strait, but Germany's defense minister Boris Pistorius said he did not expect his country to participate, citing Iran's unwillingness to cooperate with other countries.