Following the response to the proposal… 5 points of contention in the Iran-US negotiations
Following the response to the proposal… 5 points of contention in the Iran-US negotiations
2026-05-10
Shafaq News – Tehran/Washington
On Sunday, Iran sent its response, via Pakistani mediation, to the latest text proposed by the United States to end the war in the Middle East, according to Iranian media, without providing further details about the proposal.
But according to American press reports, the proposal calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the blockade imposed by the United States on Iranian ports, and setting a 30-day deadline for negotiating a broader agreement.
Gaps emerged that prevented the convergence of visions between the American side and its Iranian counterpart to conclude an agreement, as a result of disagreements over a number of issues. What are the most prominent points of disagreement between the two sides?
Strait of Hormuz
Tehran believes that its control over the Strait of Hormuz, despite international rejection, gives it a strong bargaining chip to negotiate with Washington on its own terms.
Middle East experts believe that with this military strategy, Iran now possesses a weapon more lethal than nuclear weapons.
But Washington responded by imposing a “tight” blockade on Iranian ports, and in turn sees this as a very important card in pressuring Iran to reach an agreement.
Abandoning uranium enrichment
The United States believes that Iran wants to build a nuclear bomb, which Tehran denies, saying its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
The focus is on uranium enrichment, which produces fuel for nuclear power, but can also be used to make warheads.
Washington wants Iran to abandon enrichment for 20 years and hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Tehran rejects this, defending its right to enrichment.
ballistic missiles
One of the main American demands before the war was that Iran limit the range of its ballistic missiles so that they would not reach Israel.
The United States says its war has succeeded in weakening Iran’s missile stockpile, and it is unclear whether it will continue to insist on a cap on missile capabilities in a larger peace agreement.
Iran has consistently refused to discuss its ballistic missiles, saying its right to conventional weapons is not up for negotiation and that it still possesses a large arsenal.
Sanctions and frozen assets
Tehran desperately needs these sanctions lifted and frozen assets released, and it also wants compensation for war damages, although there does not appear to be any chance now of the United States agreeing to this, and it is not clear whether it will hold to this demand as a condition for reaching an agreement.
Hezbollah in Lebanon
Iran has previously demanded that any peace agreement must include an Israeli cessation of hostilities against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israel rejects this, and it is unclear to what extent Iran will insist on it in future negotiations.
The world is now waiting to see how the US administration will respond to the Iranian response to its proposals.
shafaq.com
