Iran and the United States remain deeply divided over efforts to end the Gulf conflict permanently, with an Iranian source saying there has been “absolutely no progress” toward reviving a June interim agreement or setting a timeline for its implementation.
The comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump again criticised Iran’s leadership, further weakening hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough amid renewed attacks and tensions around regional shipping.
The June agreement called for an “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts” but quickly collapsed. Trump declared it “over” on July 7, while Iran later described it as “suspended”.
Washington accuses Tehran of failing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran says the U.S. has failed to meet its own obligations, including lifting the blockade of Iranian ports and releasing frozen Iranian assets.
“One of the issues that is being discussed via mediators is the U.S. returning to the interim agreement and defining a time frame for implementing the commitments. There has been absolutely no progress on this issue,” according to a senior Iranian official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Trump claimed Wednesday that the U.S. has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority, however, said the waterway remains blocked and would not reopen until Tehran’s conditions are met.
Trump also posted, “Iran is all talk and no action; the bully of the Middle East no longer,” on Truth Social.
On the other hand, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), a newly created Iranian government agency responsible for maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, appeared to reject U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that the U.S. fully controls the vital waterway.
No Extension, Iran Says
The June ceasefire established a 60-day period, extendable by mutual agreement, for Iran and the U.S. to negotiate a final deal involving limits on Tehran’s nuclear programme and the lifting of U.S. sanctions.
Iran rejected reports that the period had been extended.
“There is no talk of an extension because, from Iran’s perspective, there is no period that began and therefore nothing to extend. The United States violated the interim agreement 48 hours after it was reached and withdrew from it a few days later,” the source told Reuters.
Strait of Hormuz Remains a Flashpoint
The Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman, is a crucial global energy route that previously carried about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
The ongoing conflict has caused significant volatility in global oil markets. Brent crude previously reached about $126 per barrel, roughly 75% above pre-war levels, before falling back to around $88 on Wednesday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was trading near $83.
ALSO READ: Iran Keeps Strait of Hormuz Open to Shipping
With diplomatic efforts stalled and tensions continuing around the Strait, uncertainty over Gulf energy supplies and the possibility of further escalation remains high.
Reuters
