Talks between the United States and Iran to end the ongoing Middle East conflict and reopen the Hormuz Strait remain stalled, largely due to disagreements over financial concessions and sanctions relief. According to Middle East Eye, several U.S. and Arab officials said former President Donald Trump’s reluctance to release Iranian funds or ease sanctions has blocked progress. Iran has proposed bypassing its nuclear program in exchange for reopening the strait, but financial issues remain the core obstacle.

Analysts cited in the report said Trump’s Iran policy was built on economic pressure, making it difficult for him to reverse course. The 2015 nuclear deal, which limited Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief, was abandoned by Trump, who later imposed severe sanctions. Even as Iran seeks to rebuild after heavy losses from U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, Washington continues to tighten restrictions, including new sanctions on Iranian oil shipping firms.

Experts noted that Iran’s leadership views sanctions relief as essential to restoring its economy, while U.S. officials face political and regional resistance to any concessions. The stalemate leaves both sides unable to finalize a peace agreement or economic normalization.