ExclusiveUS-Iran Talks Hit Stalemate Over Control of Hormuz

The U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, have been extended into the night, but hit a stalemate as the two sides couldn't agree on the control of the Strait of Hormuz, a semi-official news agency closely linked to and controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported on Saturday. The excessive demands of the American side, especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz, have so far prevented the establishment of a common framework for During Saturday's negotiations, Iran reportedly demanded restriction of strikes in Lebanon by Israel, full control of the Hormuz Strait and unfreezing of Iran's overseas assets, including the $6 billion held by Qatar that have been frozen since 2018. The two sides have discussed the frozen assets ahead of the negotiations in Islamabad, the Financial Times reported. As the talks between the U.S. and Iran are ongoing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the war against Iran. Israel, under my leadership, will continue to fight Iran's terror regime and its proxies, he said. It's unclear where the two sides stand over the control of the Hormuz Strait. Iran set up a toll system over the Hormuz Strait during the war for ships from and to friendly countries and blocked the passage of other ships. U.S. President Donald Trump on floated the idea of establishing a joint venture with Iran to charge tolls and secure the freedom of passage. We're thinking of doing it as a joint venture. It's a way of securing it, also securing it from lots of other people, he told ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl. However, the president on Saturday warned Iran to stop the toll system. There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait. They better not be. And if they are, they better stop now, he wrote in a social media post.