From nuclear power to missiles and Hormuz, all the key points of the US-Iran negotiation

Blocking the confrontation between the US and Iran are some structural knots, starting with the nuclear programme, military capabilities, regional alliances, and control of the Strait of Hormuz. While waiting for the official response from Tehran to the American proposal that emerged in the Islamabad talks, the distances remain wide and difficult to bridge in the short term.

For US President Donald Trump, as well as for Israel, the priority is to permanently prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Tehran continues to deny any military purpose of its programme, while claiming theright to enrich uranium for civil use. According to estimates by international inspectors quoted by The New York Times, Iran has about 11 tonnes of enriched uranium, an amount that, if further refined, could theoretically allow the production of up to a hundred nuclear devices. Washington has proposed halting enrichment for twenty years, while Tehran would open to a suspension limited to five.

On the military side, the issue of the missile arsenal remains central. The United States aims to limit its reconstruction and development, after the damage suffered in recent operations with Israel. Iran, however, considers this area non-negotiable and continues to use it as strategic leverage, as also evidenced in its response to the 28 February attacks, according to Al Jazeera.

Another critical point is thenetwork of regional alliances built by Tehran. Washington calls for theend of support for groups such as Hezbollah, Houthi, Hamas and Shia militias in Iraq. However, there are no concrete signs of disengagement: Iranian support for allies, particularly in Lebanon, has continued in recent weeks, although the conflict with Israel has entered a fragile lull.

The most immediate crisis concerns the Strait of Hormuz, an essential hub for global energy trade. After the first round of negotiations and the introduction of a US naval blockade, Tehran suspended its readiness for new direct talks. At the same time, it has imposed its own de facto control over the Strait, with the laying of mines and the introduction of restrictions on maritime traffic, which is only allowed to a limited number of ships and upon payment of tolls.