Nicolai Haugsted
The US-Iran conflict is both movies forward, and has reached a standstill, at the same time.
Donald Trump says the United States will eventually seize Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium — and possibly destroy it afterward — as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue to crawl forward without a breakthrough.
According to Reuters, fresh comments from both American and Iranian officials suggest the two sides remain deeply divided over several explosive issues, including uranium enrichment and control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and gas.
Oil markets reacted nervously again Thursday as uncertainty surrounding the conflict continued rattling global energy supplies.
Trump: “We’re not going to let them have it”
Trump doubled down on Washington’s position during remarks at the White House, insisting Iran cannot be allowed to keep its enriched uranium stockpile.
“We will get it. We don’t need it, we don’t want it. We’ll probably destroy it after we get it, but we’re not going to let them have it,” Trump told reporters.
Washington believes the uranium could eventually be used for nuclear weapons, while Tehran continues insisting the programme is strictly peaceful.
Iranian sources told Reuters that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has already ordered that the uranium must not leave the country under any agreement.
Strait of Hormuz remains huge sticking point
Another major battle is unfolding around the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas normally passes.
Iran has suggested it wants tighter control over traffic moving through the waterway and may introduce fees for passage under certain conditions.
Trump reacted sharply against the idea.
“We want it open, we want it free. We don’t want tolls,” he said.
“It’s an international waterway.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also warned that any attempt by Iran to impose fees could destroy hopes for a diplomatic solution.
“It would make a diplomatic deal unfeasible if they were to continue to pursue that,” Rubio said.
“So it’s a threat to the world if they were trying to do that, and it’s completely illegal.”
Talks continue — but slowly
Despite the hostile rhetoric, negotiations are still happening behind the scenes.
Rubio said there have been “some good signs” during recent talks, though he avoided sounding overly confident.
“There’s some good signs,” Rubio said.
“I don’t want to be overly optimistic … So, let’s see what happens over the next few days.”
Reuters reports that Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, may now be heading to Tehran as part of mediation efforts aimed at keeping communication alive between the two sides.
Pakistani officials have reportedly carried messages back and forth between Washington and Tehran throughout the week.
Trump’s patience “running thin”
People involved in the negotiations told Reuters that discussions remain difficult and progress limited even after six weeks of ceasefire attempts.
“We’re speaking to all the various groups in Iran to streamline communication and so things pick up pace,” one source familiar with the talks said.
“Trump’s patience running thin is a concern, but we’re working on the pace at which messages are relayed from each side.”
Iran’s latest proposal to the United States reportedly still includes several demands Trump has previously rejected, including sanctions relief, compensation for war damage and continued Iranian influence over the Strait of Hormuz.
Global economy feeling the pressure
Energy analysts now warn that the conflict is beginning to hit the world economy hard.
The International Energy Agency said Thursday that the situation has already produced the world’s worst energy shock in years.
Summer demand combined with reduced Middle East supply could push markets into what the agency described as the “red zone” during July and August.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has also collapsed compared to pre-war levels.
Iranian state media reported that only 31 ships passed through the strait during the last 24 hours — dramatically below the usual daily numbers seen before fighting erupted earlier this year.
Trump has repeatedly warned that American strikes against Iran could resume if negotiations fail, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have threatened retaliation far beyond the region if attacks begin again.
