Analysis: US-Iran Negotiations Focus on Three Key Sticking Points, with Hormuz Dispute at the Forefront

BlockBeats News, April 12th, according to The New York Times, the current US-Iran negotiations face three main sticking points: the Strait of Hormuz reopening issue, the uranium enrichment issue, and the unfreezing of Iranian overseas assets.

Strait of Hormuz:

The Iranian side has rejected the US-proposed "joint control" scheme, insisting on retaining control of the Strait of Hormuz and claiming the right to charge "transit fees" to passing vessels. Iran has stated that it will only consider arrangements for strait reopening after a final peace agreement is reached between both parties.

The US, on the other hand, holds a starkly different position. US President Trump stated on the 10th that the Strait of Hormuz is international waters, and regardless of "Iranian cooperation," the strait will be reopened "soon," and he will not allow Iran to charge transit fees.

Nuclear Issue:

The US has demanded that Iran hand over its entire near-weapons-grade enriched uranium stockpile, weighing about 900 pounds. Iran has put forward a counterproposal, but the two sides have failed to reach a compromise. Additionally, the US has also demanded that Iran not only refrain from developing nuclear weapons currently but also commit long-term to not acquiring related capabilities and technology. The US has stated that they have not yet seen a "clear willingness from the Iranian side."

Asset Freeze:

Iran has demanded compensation from the US for the damages caused by the six-week airstrikes and the unfreezing of around $27 billion of its oil revenue located in Iraq, Luxembourg, Bahrain, Japan, Turkey, and Germany, to be used for post-war reconstruction. The US has rejected the above demands.