A new round of negotiations between the United States and Iran is expected to take place in Islamabad on Monday, April 20, as efforts continue to resolve differences over Tehran's nuclear programme. According to CNN, delegations from both sides are likely to arrive in Pakistan a day earlier for the discussions.
No breakthrough in previous round
The upcoming talks follow earlier marathon negotiations that ended without an agreement. However, officials indicated that dialogue is still ongoing and not at a dead end.
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At the centre of the disagreement remains Iran's uranium enrichment programme. During the last round in Islamabad, US negotiators proposed a 20-year pause on enrichment activities. Iran, in response, offered a five-year suspension, a proposal that Washington rejected. The gap between the two sides continues to stall progress.
Proposal on frozen funds
In a parallel development, reports suggest that Washington is considering releasing nearly $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds. Tehran had raised this demand during earlier discussions.
The possible arrangement would involve Iran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium in exchange for access to these funds. The move signals attempts to find common ground even as core disagreements remain unresolved.
Strait of Hormuz reopened
Iran has announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which had faced restrictions since the conflict began in February. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the route would stay open for commercial shipping as long as the ceasefire holds.
The waterway is a crucial channel for global energy supplies, and its reopening is expected to ease pressure on international trade and shipping.
US maintains naval blockade
Despite Iran's move, US President Donald Trump said the American naval blockade in the region would continue.
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"Iran has just announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and ready for business — but the Naval blockade will remain in full force and effect until such time as our transaction is 100% complete," said Trump per News 18.
Trump also said the US would take control of all "nuclear dust" created by its B2 bombers and maintained that no money would be exchanged, adding that Iran had agreed it would never possess a nuclear weapon.
