‘No war, no peace’: Can Iran break the deadlock with the US?

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Iran and the United States remain locked in a fragile standoff, with Tehran seeking to move beyond what its parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, described as a state of “no war and no peace.” In remarks to Al Jazeera, Ghalibaf said Iran is still open to a deal that would bring a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but only if Washington responds to Tehran’s terms. He said Iran is waiting for the US to act, while US officials have so far rejected Iran’s demands as unacceptable.

According to the report, Iran has set out conditions that include lifting the blockade on Iranian ports, easing sanctions, releasing frozen funds, ending hostilities and formally declaring the war over. Analysts cited by Al Jazeera said the pressure campaign is straining Iran’s economy, but that Tehran is reluctant to accept any settlement that could be seen at home as surrender. The article also says Washington has tightened sanctions and kept its naval pressure in place instead of making concessions.

The Strait of Hormuz remains the key source of leverage for Iran, with the report describing attacks on tankers and slower shipping through the waterway. Al Jazeera notes that only a handful of commodity vessels crossed in early November, compared with more the previous weekend. Experts told the outlet that the current arrangement is unstable, expensive for both sides, and could still break down if either side decides pressure is preferable to compromise.