Structural Challenges and the Hormuz Blockade Undermine Iran-US Negotiations

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:55:00 +0200

High-level talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad on April 12, 2026, failed to produce a resolution to ongoing conflicts or a nuclear agreement. The negotiations, lasting 21 hours, marked the highest-level direct engagement since the 1979 Islamic Revolution but collapsed due to structural barriers, rather than diplomatic missteps. Previous agreements, including the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, had proven that verification and compliance were possible, yet recent unilateral U.S. military actions, including strikes in February 2026, eroded trust irreparably. Both sides face challenges that cannot be addressed in short-term negotiations: Iran cannot trust the durability of any deal, while the U.S. fears Iran’s ability to rebuild its nuclear capabilities. Complicating matters, both nations' demands extend beyond the nuclear issue, covering territorial rights, regional proxy networks, and military actions, creating a broad scope for disagreement. Israel’s continue