On Sunday morning, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a chilling counter-ultimatum, declaring that the Strait of Hormuz is "closed and will remain closed" until the United States surrenders to Iranian demands.
As the American delegation departs, the rhetoric from Tehran has shifted to open defiance, setting the stage for a renwed military confrontation.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry echoed this hardline stance, describing the 21 hours of negotiations in Pakistan as having taken place in an "atmosphere of mistrust." This sentiment was confirmed by sources close to the talks, who revealed that the two sides remained fundamentally deadlocked on several key fronts:
- The Hormuz Standoff: The U.S. reportedly demanded the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait. Iran flatly refused, insisting the gates stay shut until a final, comprehensive deal, is signed.
- The "Lebanon Separation": The U.S. delegation reportedly attempted to decouple the "Lebanon issue" from the Iran negotiations.
- Missile Programs: The U.S. attempted to put Iran’s ballistic missile program on the table, a topic Tehran reportedly refused to even discuss.
White House: "The Next Step Belongs to Trump"
White House officials told the New York Times that they are now deferring to President Trump to announce the administration's "next step."
Given Trump’s recent interest in a total naval blockade, the President's upcoming announcement may be a pivot from negotiation to active enforcement. This follows Trump's brief comment earlier today that America will "win regardless" of whether a deal exists.
