Ceasefire Agreement Under Strain as Core Disputes Linger
The recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran appeared increasingly fragile on Thursday, with Washington dismissing key Iranian demands and Tehran maintaining its grip on the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The agreement, which followed a five-week conflict that claimed thousands of lives, has left both nations claiming victory while fundamental disagreements remain unresolved.
Confusion Over the Ten-Point Plan and Conflicting Demands
Former President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire while referencing a ten-point proposal from Iran, which he described as "a workable basis on which to negotiate." He stated that most points had been agreed upon but did not specify their content. Iran's Supreme National Security Council subsequently published a list of demands it claimed Washington had accepted in principle, including:
- Non-aggression between the two nations
- Continued Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz
- Acceptance of uranium enrichment activities
- Lifting all primary and secondary sanctions
- Termination of UN Security Council and IAEA resolutions
- Withdrawal of US combat forces from the region
- Cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including against Hezbollah in Lebanon
Trump later dismissed media reports about the plan as "totally FAKE," asserting that only one set of meaningful points was acceptable to the United States and would be discussed privately with Iranian officials.
Uranium Enrichment and Nuclear Programme Uncertainties
Significant confusion surrounds the status of Iran's nuclear programme under the ceasefire terms. Trump initially cited uranium enrichment as justification for the conflict, claiming Iran had agreed to cease enrichment activities and surrender existing stockpiles. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Iran would have to hand over its uranium "or we'll take it out."
However, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that Tehran retained the right to continue enrichment under the ceasefire agreement. Journalists reported discrepancies between Persian and English versions of Iran's proposed plan, with the Persian version explicitly insisting on enrichment rights while the English version omitted this clause for unclear reasons.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Contentious Chokepoint
The strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass, remains a major point of contention. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Tehran would provide safe passage through the strait during the ceasefire period, while Trump demanded Iran retract its effective blockade.
Although one vessel transited the waterway with Iranian permission following the ceasefire announcement, shipping sources reported that the Iranian navy continued threatening ships attempting unauthorized passage. A senior Iranian official suggested the blockade might be lifted ahead of peace talks, but vessels would still require Tehran's permission to pass, potentially violating international maritime conventions.
Lebanon Conflict Excluded from Ceasefire Terms
Substantial disagreement exists regarding whether the ceasefire covers the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. While Pakistan and Iranian state media reported that the agreement included provisions ending all hostilities, including in Lebanon, the White House explicitly stated otherwise.
Vice President JD Vance, who will lead the US delegation to upcoming talks, characterized the discrepancy as a "legitimate misunderstanding," suggesting Iran mistakenly believed Lebanon was included. Meanwhile, Israel launched what it described as its largest strikes yet in Lebanon on Wednesday, causing hundreds of casualties according to Lebanese authorities.
Diplomatic Path Forward Through Islamabad Talks
Pakistan's prime minister confirmed that Islamabad would host representatives from both Iran and the United States for negotiations aimed at establishing a more enduring peace agreement. An Iranian delegation including Qalibaf and Araghchi departed for the Pakistani capital on Thursday ahead of anticipated talks.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Vice President Vance, along with Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would travel to Islamabad for discussions scheduled for Saturday. These talks will attempt to resolve the outstanding disputes over uranium enrichment, sanctions relief, Strait of Hormuz control, and the scope of ceasefire applicability that continue to undermine the fragile agreement.
