Explainer

The Key Sticking Points for a US-Iran Peace Deal

USS Rafael Peralta during US blockade operations near an Iranian-flagged ship, in April.Source: US Navy

The US and Iran have been locked in a stalemate since agreeing to a ceasefire in April. They’ve been unable to reach a deal to end a war that has stretched more than two months, killed thousands of people and sparked a global energy crunch.

Tensions remain high as Iran maintains a tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the US refuses to lift its naval blockade on Iranian-linked vessels. After rejecting Iran’s counterproposal to end the hostilities in May, President Donald Trump declared that their truce is on “massive life support.”