"U.S.-Iran Talks Enter Critical Phase," Says Al Jazeera

[Financial News]

Al Jazeera reported on the 11th (local time) that negotiations between the United States of America (U.S.) and the Islamic Republic of Iran to end the conflict have entered a critical phase that will determine their success or failure.
According to Al Jazeera, marathon talks between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, had continued for eight hours past midnight on the 12th. The two sides remain far apart on some issues, but progress is being made under pressure from Pakistan, which is acting as mediator.
However, Iranian sources say the U.S. negotiating team is not responding flexibly and is making maximal demands. They note that Iran is willing to make concessions on some issues, but criticize several U.S. demands—especially those related to the Strait of Hormuz—as unacceptable "maximalist" positions.
Even so, Pakistani sources are reportedly quite optimistic that the talks will produce some form of outcome, Al Jazeera reported.
It is not yet clear, however, whether that outcome will be an extension of the cease-fire, guaranteed freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, or tangible progress on the nuclear weapons program.
President of the United States Donald Trump has previously stressed that, while the Strait of Hormuz is important in these negotiations, Washington’s top priority is the nuclear weapons program.
Meanwhile, Iran is reported to have newly raised the issue of prisoner releases in the current round of talks.
dympna@fnnews.com Song Kyung-jae Reporter