US-Iran Three Rounds of Talks Lasted Until Late at Night, Three Key Negotiation Topics Still Pending
April 12
CCTV News reports: The third round of Iran-U.S. negotiations in Islamabad concluded on April 12 local time. Iran described the talks as the "last chance" to reach a framework agreement.
Since April 11, the two sides have held a packed negotiation schedule, meeting into the late hours. All parties have made the most of the temporary ceasefire window to step up bargaining. However, persistent sharp differences remain on three core issues: control of the Strait of Hormuz, unfreezing overseas assets, and uranium enrichment.
Off the negotiating table, the U.S. military announced the launch of mine-sweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz, while the Israeli Prime Minister stated Israel would continue striking Iran and its proxies. With little time left in the ceasefire window, diplomatic moves and military actions are escalating in tandem, leaving the Middle East at a crossroads between war and peace.
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The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until a US-Iran agreement framework is reached
April 12 (CNN) — An Iranian security official said the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until Iran and the U.S. reach a “common framework” for ongoing negotiations.
The official noted the U.S. has made “excessive demands” on multiple issues, including key waterways, which has so far blocked both sides from finding common ground and moving talks forward.
“Iran is not in a rush to act,” the official said. He added Tehran has told the U.S. the strait’s current status will remain unchanged until a common framework is reached — and “even the previously agreed number of ship transits won’t be possible.” If U.S. negotiators don’t offer a “realistic prospect,” the strait will stay closed.
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The third round of Yumi negotiations has concluded with significant differences between the parties.
**April 12 –**
Iran and the U.S. have wrapped up another round of talks in Islamabad, with significant differences still persisting between their negotiating teams, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported Tuesday, citing its correspondent.
A source familiar with the discussions told Tasnim no substantial progress has been made since the talks began, blaming the U.S. side’s “sky-high demands.” The source also noted some Western media outlets are exaggerating the talks’ “positive atmosphere” to influence international energy prices.
Iran’s state television separately reported the two delegations are exchanging negotiation texts.
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Foreign Media: The main sticking point of the US-Iran negotiations is the Strait of Hormuz, while other aspects have been settled
Per Italian daily La Repubblica, as of 01:57 local time in Islamabad (04:57 Beijing time) on April 12, U.S.-Iran negotiations remain ongoing.
The two sides have been in the same room at Serena Hotel for nearly 10 hours, with several breaks—including dinner—taken during that stretch.
Both are committed to reaching an outcome. A framework covering regional security, comprehensive humanitarian reconstruction, and fund freezing has been established. The main sticking point is the Strait of Hormuz, where other regional and global actors could play a decisive role.
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The US Navy has referred to the passage of two destroyers through the Strait of Hormuz to conduct a mine clearance operation
April 12 (Reuters) — The U.S. military announced Saturday it has begun laying groundwork to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as two American warships transited the strategic waterway.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in an April 11 social media statement that two U.S. missile destroyers crossed the strait and are operating in the Persian Gulf, and mine clearance operations there have commenced.
“Today, we’ve kicked off the process to establish a new maritime route,” Gen. Frank Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said. “We’ll soon share this safe passage with the shipping industry to enable the free flow of trade.”
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