Iran Sees ‘Progress’ in US Talks, but Says Final Deal Still Distant

Tehran — Iran has reported some headway in its ongoing discussions with the United States, but officials caution that a final agreement remains far from reach as the current two-week ceasefire nears its April 22 deadline.

Speaking in a televised address, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that while dialogue is continuing, major differences between the two sides persist. He noted that several key issues remain unresolved, indicating that negotiations have not yet entered a decisive phase.

Ghalibaf also claimed that Iran has maintained a position of strength in recent weeks and suggested that Tehran agreed to the temporary ceasefire only after its conditions were acknowledged by Washington. According to him, the United States has not achieved its objectives, while Iran continues to assert control over the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.

Describing negotiations as a form of strategic resistance, he stressed the importance of safeguarding Iran’s interests and rights during the process.

Meanwhile, Iran’s top security body, the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), reiterated that the country will continue to oversee and regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until a lasting peace is secured.

The council outlined measures including mandatory vessel information sharing, issuance of transit permits, and the imposition of service charges related to security and environmental monitoring. These steps follow renewed enforcement by Iran’s military command, which cited the continuation of US naval restrictions as the reason for tightening control over the key global shipping route.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital artery for global energy supplies, and ongoing tensions in the region continue to carry significant geopolitical and economic implications.

With inputs from IANS