Washington: As the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran nears its end next week, the US has laid down two conditions for resuming peace talks.
According to the report, the conflict escalated after the US and Israel launched major attacks on Iran on February 28. Iran’s move to close the Strait of Hormuz pushed crude oil prices sharply higher, while missile and drone strikes intensified across West Asia over the past month.
Before a deadline set by US President Donald Trump elapsed, Iran agreed to a ceasefire, which took effect on April 8. A 21-hour round of talks between the two sides was then held in Pakistan, but ended without an agreement, with both countries blaming each other. The dispute is said to be linked mainly to conditions around Iran’s nuclear enrichment.
In the aftermath, the US reportedly sent a warship into the Strait of Hormuz area and blocked Iranian ports, affecting Iran’s ability to export crude oil. Trump said a second round of talks could take place in Pakistan in the coming days, but only if Iran allows shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and grants full authority to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps delegation involved in the talks.
Trump also claimed the war is nearing an end and said Iran would take years to rebuild, arguing that this is why Tehran wants a deal.
