WASHINGTON (Realist English). The negotiation process between the United States and Iran entered a deep crisis over the past 24 hours after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly rejected Tehran’s latest package of proposals regarding a possible settlement and the framework of a future agreement.
The Iranian side transmitted updated proposals to Washington through intermediaries, but the White House reportedly considered them “completely unacceptable.”
Trump stated that the United States was prepared to achieve its goals “peacefully or otherwise,” while emphasizing that Washington did not require China’s mediation to pressure Tehran. The statement came ahead of Trump’s upcoming visit to Beijing, where the Iranian issue is expected to become one of the central topics.
The main obstacles to an agreement remain:
- U.S. demands for the effective dismantling of Iran’s uranium enrichment program;
- the fate of Iran’s existing stockpiles of highly enriched uranium;
- control over the Strait of Hormuz;
- the sanctions regime;
- restrictions on Iran’s missile program.
Against the backdrop of the diplomatic deadlock, Tehran sharply escalated its rhetoric. Iranian officials declared that the country was “keeping its finger on the trigger,” although it officially continues to speak about pursuing “long-term peace.”
Additional tension was caused by statements from Iranian politicians suggesting the possibility of enriching uranium to 90% — a level close to weapons-grade — in the event of new strikes by the United States or Israel.
At the same time, the U.S. administration continues its strategy of military pressure. A naval blockade of Iran remains in place in the Persian Gulf, imposed by the United States following the collapse of the previous round of negotiations. According to Western sources, Washington has already intercepted dozens of vessels connected to Iranian ports.
The cost of the conflict is also rising sharply. According to Western media estimates, the U.S. military operation against Iran has already cost Washington approximately $29 billion. Meanwhile, global oil markets are reacting with rising prices due to fears of renewed destabilization around the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil supplies pass.
Despite the harsh rhetoric, diplomatic contacts have not been completely suspended. Oman continues to serve as the main intermediary. Earlier rounds of negotiations in Muscat and Geneva were accompanied by statements about “substantial progress,” but the parties still failed to overcome fundamental disagreements regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
An additional factor of instability comes from divisions within the American political establishment itself. Some Republicans have criticized the involvement of Pakistan and China in the negotiation process, arguing that both countries are effectively helping Tehran prolong dialogue with Washington.
According to analysts, the current phase of negotiations has effectively shifted into a state of “managed crisis”: the parties are avoiding a complete breakdown in dialogue while simultaneously preparing for the possible resumption of large-scale confrontation in the Middle East.