Iran Slams Excessive US Demands on Strait of Hormuz in Pakistan Talks

United States, Iranian, and Pakistani officials began face-to-face trilateral negotiations in Islamabad on April 11, 2026, in an effort to end a six-week war. The diplomatic summit, facilitated by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, aims to convert a fragile two-week ceasefire into a permanent peace agreement.

The central point of contention in the talks is the status of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported on April 11, 2026, that the United States is making excessive demands regarding the waterway, leading reports to indicate that negotiators have hit a stalemate over the issue.

Control of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a 100-mile-long waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It serves as the primary channel for 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas supply. Since the beginning of the conflict, Iran has effectively blocked the strait, restricting vessel movement and reportedly charging fees of up to $2 million per ship to allow passage.

This control has allowed Iran to disrupt global energy markets, causing spikes in oil and gas prices. The United States has demanded that Iran reopen the waterway, which has become a focal point of the Islamabad negotiations.

U.S. Military Operations

Concurrent with the diplomatic efforts, the United States military has initiated operations to reopen the strategic channel. On April 11, 2026, the U.S. Military stated it was setting conditions to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz.

Two U.S. Navy warships transited the strait as part of this mine-clearing operation. Donald Trump confirmed that U.S. Forces are clearing the waterway.

Diplomatic Delegations and Facilitation

The negotiations in Islamabad represent the highest-level direct engagement between Washington and Tehran in decades. The U.S. Delegation is led by Vice-President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. They are supported by senior advisers Dr. Andrew Baker and Michael Vance, as well as a full suite of subject-matter experts present in Islamabad and supporting from Washington.

The talks are being facilitated by the Pakistani government, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir overseeing the proceedings. Additional diplomatic engagement has occurred on the sidelines, including a meeting between Iran’s Central Bank Governor and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.

Regional Conflict and International Reactions

The peace talks are taking place against a backdrop of continued violence in the region. On April 11, 2026, the Israeli army reported hitting over 200 Hezbollah targets within a 24-hour period. Simultaneously, Lebanon reported that the death toll from Israeli strikes has exceeded 2,000.

International leaders have called for a resolution to the hostilities. French President Emmanuel Macron contacted the Iranian president, urging him to use the Islamabad talks to achieve lasting de-escalation.

The ‘delusion of omnipotence’ fuels the US-Israeli war in Iran.

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV also urged an end to the madness of war during the ongoing negotiations.

Current Status of Negotiations

Despite the stalemate over the Strait of Hormuz, diplomatic efforts continue. Iranian state television reported on April 11, 2026, that a third session of talks between the U.S. And Iran is expected to be held either that night or the following day in Islamabad.

While the U.S. Has conducted a bombing campaign during the six-week war, reports indicate that Iran’s military remains functional, and the status of its nuclear materials remains uncertain.