Diplomatic activity is intensifying across the region following the first round of Iran-US talks in Switzerland, held with Qatari and Pakistani mediation, as disputes over Iran’s missile programme, nuclear inspections and the future of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a Gulf tour in the UAE, warning that “no country can impose transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz” and saying there would be “no end to the war” as long as Iran’s proxies continue firing missiles. His remarks came as President Donald Trump insisted Iran would “never” be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Tehran, meanwhile, has ruled out any negotiations over its missile capabilities, with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying they were not included in the memorandum of understanding and “never will be”. Iran has also rejected any plan to allow international inspectors to visit nuclear sites bombed during the US-Israeli assault, while continuing talks with Oman over the future management of navigation through Hormuz.
