Iran-US tensions rise

by AZADEH AKBAR
TEHRAN, (CAJ News) — TENSION between the United States and Iran remain dangerously unresolved, with the two sides locked in a diplomatic and military standoff over Tehran’s nuclear programme and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The latest developments have raised fresh fears that a fragile pause in fighting could collapse.

United States (US) President Donald Trump has warned that American military operations against Iran could resume if negotiations fail, while Washington continues to demand that Tehran address international concerns over its nuclear activities.

Iran, however, says it will not negotiate under military pressure.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has presented Tehran’s position as a demand for reciprocal steps: Washington must lift its naval blockade, ease oil sanctions and release frozen Iranian funds before Iran will fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume substantive nuclear negotiations.

Under an Iranian proposal announced last week, the waterway could be reopened within seven days of American acceptance.

Iranian officials have also drawn a firm line over uranium enrichment.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran would make no nuclear concessions, rejecting American demands to halt enrichment or send enriched uranium abroad.

Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is peaceful and has repeatedly rejected allegations that it is pursuing nuclear weapons.

The dispute has become more complicated because international inspectors face restricted access to Iranian nuclear facilities.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has reported that it has been unable to verify important aspects of Iran’s nuclear activities, prompting the agency’s board to refer the issue to the UN Security Council.

Iran argues that security concerns following US and Israeli attacks make inspections difficult and accuses Western governments of using the nuclear issue for political pressure.

The Strait of Hormuz remains the other crucial piece of the confrontation.

The waterway is a major artery for global energy supplies, and September saw an increase in LNG shipments despite continuing security concerns.

About 19 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes passed through the strait during the month, although this remained far below pre-war levels.

For Iranian authorities, Hormuz is both a strategic security issue and a bargaining instrument. Tehran insists that freedom of navigation cannot be separated from what it describes as American military and economic pressure.

For Washington, however, reopening the waterway is increasingly tied to the nuclear question.

The result is a dangerous stalemate: Iran wants sanctions relief and an end to military pressure before making concessions, while the US is demanding movement on the nuclear programme and unrestricted maritime access.

With neither side willing to surrender its leverage, diplomacy remains active—but the possibility of renewed conflict has not disappeared.

– CAJ News