By Blessing Nweke
US President Donald Trump has warned that the “clock is ticking” for Iran as negotiations aimed at ending the conflict between Washington and Tehran remain deadlocked.
Trump said earlier this week that the fragile truce between the two sides was on “massive life support” after rejecting Tehran’s latest demands, which he described as “totally unacceptable.” The remarks come as diplomatic efforts continue following months of military confrontation across the Middle East.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei defended Tehran’s proposals, calling them “responsible” and “generous.” According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iran demanded an immediate end to the war on all fronts, including Israeli strikes against the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. Tehran also called for an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and guarantees against future attacks.
Other reported conditions included compensation for war damage and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes.
Iran’s Fars news agency reported that Washington responded with five conditions of its own, including limiting Iran to one operational nuclear facility and transferring its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.
Despite the sharp disagreements, Trump signaled a possible compromise on Friday, suggesting he could accept a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear programme rather than demanding its complete dismantlement.
The conflict intensified after Israeli and US forces launched major air strikes on Iran on 28 February. Pakistan has since attempted to mediate negotiations, though both sides remain far apart on key issues.
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