The control of the Strait of Hormuz has become the hottest point in the direct negotiations between the United States and Iran, which are taking place in Islamabad, according to international media reports.
According to the Financial Times, the demand for the full reopening of this strategic maritime route remains one of the most contentious issues between the parties. Iran insists on maintaining control over the strait and the right to impose fees on ships passing through it.
On the other hand, Iranian negotiators have rejected the idea of "joint control," despite the high-level meeting between U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Al Jazeera sources indicate that the talks could last throughout the night, while during a short break, the parties exchanged messages suggesting the possibility of finding common ground.
Meanwhile, the Iranian delegation also held meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before the start of the negotiations. Despite the intensity of the discussions, no concrete progress has been reported so far.