Ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran stalled as efforts to end the war failed to advance, while US media reported that President Donald Trump had asked for changes to the terms of a possible agreement. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday that Washington was “constantly changing its views and putting forward new or contradictory demands,” underscoring the growing gap between the two sides as diplomacy faltered.
The breakdown in negotiations came amid a broader regional conflict that intensified after the United States and Israel carried out wide-ranging strikes on Iran on 28 February. Those attacks triggered a sharp Iranian response, with Tehran targeting Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf. Iran also effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping lanes, through which about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas passes.
The disruption had immediate global consequences. Oil flowing through the strait includes supplies not only from Iran, but also from major Gulf producers such as Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. With the route blocked, oil prices surged worldwide, raising concerns about energy security, inflation and the wider economic impact of the conflict.
A ceasefire was eventually agreed in early April, but tensions remained high. Soon after, the United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump said the blockade would remain “in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed,” signaling that Washington was keeping strong pressure on Tehran even after fighting had paused.
The latest deadlock in talks suggests that a durable settlement remains out of reach. Iranian officials have accused the US of repeatedly shifting its demands, while American reporting indicated that Trump wanted revisions to the proposed terms. The two sides have yet to bridge the divide over the future of the war, sanctions, and security arrangements in the region.
The conflict has already reshaped the geopolitical landscape across the Middle East, drawing in neighboring states and rattling global energy markets. With the Strait of Hormuz at the center of the confrontation, any renewed escalation could again threaten supplies to major economies and push prices higher.
For now, the ceasefire holds, but the failure of negotiations has left the situation fragile. The combination of stalled diplomacy, continued military pressure and unresolved disputes over the terms of an agreement leaves open the risk of further escalation if talks collapse completely.
