The United States and Iran are set to hold their next round of peace talks in Islamabad, but tensions remain high as Tehran says it's 'far from a final agreement'.
The talks, announced by US President Donald Trump on Sunday, will take place in the Pakistani capital from Monday, despite Iran's parliament speaker saying Washington and Tehran are 'far from a final agreement'.
The major sticking points in the negotiations include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, curbs on Iran's uranium enrichment, and the fate of its already enriched uranium stockpiles. Iran has blamed the US's refusal to abandon 'maximalist' demands on key issues for not reaching a deal to end the conflict that has sent the world economy into a tailspin.
US Vice President JD Vance said there was a 'misunderstanding' about the ceasefire, which expired on April 22, and that the Iran ceasefire did not include Lebanon. A 10-day ceasefire between the two neighbours was later announced, but Iran has said it will not hand over its enriched uranium to the US, a key demand put forward by Washington.
Iran and US at Odds as Peace Talks Loom in Islamabad
The US and Iran have been fighting since February 28, although a 14-day Pakistan-brokered ceasefire was announced on April 8. That deadline expires on April 22. | World News
