WANA (May 10) – In response to repeated U.S. requests and proposals delivered to Iran, the Islamic Republic has reportedly set three conditions through intermediaries, to be implemented in sequence:

 

  1. Resolving the war and bringing a complete halt to it across the region, along with the necessary guarantees
  2. Talks regarding navigation and transit through the Strait of Hormuz
  3. Discussions on nuclear-related issues and matters

 

This means that, contrary to claims made by some critics of Iran’s negotiating team who say “they already gave up the nuclear issue,” there has essentially been no discussion about it so far. Iran has placed the nuclear file at the final stage of its conditions, while the first and second stages could take a long time to materialize — or may never be fulfilled at all.

 

Unlike the United States, which insists on quickly moving into detailed nuclear discussions, Iran has divided the negotiations into three broad phases and rejected entering into specifics at this stage. In other words, Washington must first accept this framework before even entering phase one, after which extensive talks would begin before any detailed discussions take place.

 

In addition to recognizing the importance of time as a strategic factor and seeking to prolong the process contrary to U.S. expectations, Iran reportedly has another major objective. Tehran believes that if Washington achieves results on the nuclear issue during the first phase, it may no longer treat the later phases seriously. Iran’s position is said to be that it is in no hurry; therefore, if the U.S. is truly serious about negotiations, it must first fulfill the prerequisites so Tehran can assess Washington’s commitment.

A billboard with a graphic design about the Strait of Hormuz on a building in Tehran, Iran, May 6, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Accordingly, only after these steps are completed — including ending the war throughout the region, from Iran to Iraq, Yemen, Gaza, and Lebanon, clarifying the status of U.S. bases in the region, and providing the necessary guarantees — would discussions begin on maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz and how it would be managed.

 

Under this framework, Iran’s administration of the strait is described as non-negotiable, while discussions would focus only on issues such as payment mechanisms, the number of daily transits, and which countries would be permitted passage.

 

The third phase — nuclear issues — would begin only after completion of the first two stages. Even then, Iran’s right to uranium enrichment and the storage of uranium on Iranian soil would remain intact, while negotiations would focus solely on operational mechanisms, enrichment levels, Iranian guarantees, the commitments of the opposing parties, and the type of oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

 

So far, this has reportedly been the Islamic Republic’s approach to the negotiations. However, the United States has also presented its own conditions, to which Iran has not yet responded. In this regard, Axios reported that Washington would wait until this evening for Iran’s response, though it did not specify what action the U.S. might take if it does not receive what it considers an adequate reply.

 

What can be understood from Iran’s approach is that the Islamic Republic is fundamentally unwilling to reach an agreement with Trump and has little interest in negotiating with him unless he accepts Iran’s conditions in full. Otherwise, Iran is expected to remain on full military alert and maintain readiness to respond to any potential U.S. escalation or confrontation.

The Attrition of American Power in Hormuz: Washington Caught in a Trap of Time

WANA (May 09) – Amid tensions that seem to evolve into a new form every day, one reality stands out more than anything else: the United States still has not decided what kind of conflict it is truly trapped in.   If bombing alone could have changed the equation, Washington would never have abandoned it […]

Read More...