The third round of US-Iran negotiations ended with deep disagreements, with the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear issues becoming key bargaining points.

ME News message. On April 12 (UTC+8), local time, the third round of negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad has concluded. Iran described this round as the “last chance” to reach a framework agreement. Since the 11th, the two sides have had a tightly packed negotiation agenda, with consultations lasting deep into the night. All parties are racing to seize the remaining window for a temporary ceasefire to intensify their maneuvering, but there are sharp differences over three core issues: management of the Strait of Hormuz, the unfreezing of overseas assets, and uranium enrichment. Insiders say that because of the U.S. side’s “sky-high demands,” no substantive progress has been made since the Iran-U.S.-Islamabad talks began. They also pointed out that some Western media, with the purpose of influencing international energy prices, are exaggerating the “positive atmosphere” of the negotiations. The fourth round of talks between Iran and the United States will continue on Sunday.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bagheri announced, in the early hours of today at local time, the progress of the negotiations with the United States in Islamabad, Pakistan. According to the briefing he released, negotiations between Iran and the United States—under Pakistan’s mediation—began on the morning of April 11 and are still ongoing. The two sides exchanged a large amount of information, and Iran’s negotiating representatives are “doing everything possible to safeguard Iran’s rights and interests.” The briefing said that the Iran-U.S. sides discussed various aspects of the main negotiation topics, including the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear issues, war reparations, sanctions relief, and the complete ending of wars against Iran and the Middle East region. The briefing emphasized that whether this diplomatic process succeeds depends on the sincerity of the U.S. side—on whether it makes excessive and illegal demands and whether it accepts Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.

Outside the negotiating table, the U.S. military announced mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel’s Prime Minister claimed it will continue to strike Iran and its proxies. With little time left in the ceasefire window, diplomatic maneuvering and military actions are heating up in parallel. The situation in the Middle East is standing at a crossroads between war and peace. (Source: BlockBeats)