Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The US and Iran have made some progress in negotiations, but have a long way to go before reaching an agreement, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker and top negotiator, said in an interview with state television on Saturday.
Iran announced that it would close the Strait of Hormuz again on Saturday, citing “repeated breaches of trust” as the US maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
advertisement
Before that, Iran pushed for vessels to pay a fee for secure transfer across the waterway. A senior Iranian official told CNN that vessels that pay the fee were to be prioritised over those that do not pay.
The move has complicated negotiations with the US, but Ghalibaf framed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic win for Tehran.
“We have not destroyed the enemy – they still possess money and weapons – but strategically, they have been defeated in the face of us,” he said.
Ghalibaf also indicated that while talks are ongoing, key differences remain unresolved, suggesting that any breakthrough is still some distance away. He said there were “many gaps” in the negotiations and that both sides were yet to reach a stage where final terms could be discussed.
The developments come as a fragile two-week ceasefire between the two countries is set to expire on Wednesday, with uncertainty over whether it will be extended. The truce was aimed at creating space for diplomacy, but continued tensions – particularly in the Gulf region – have added pressure on the negotiation process.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil shipments pass, has emerged as a key flashpoint in the standoff. Iran’s renewed restrictions and earlier proposal to regulate vessel movement through paid access have raised concerns over global shipping and energy markets, while also hardening positions on both sides.
Despite the escalation, Iranian officials have maintained that they are open to continuing talks, though Ghalibaf’s remarks suggest Tehran is negotiating from what it sees as a position of strategic advantage.
– Ends
Tune In
Must Watch
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
