Washington and Tehran will eventually be able to reach a peace agreement, because both sides are interested in it, believes the US permanent representative to the UN Mike Walz.
“I think we can reach some kind of agreement or deal, as the president calls it, because both sides are interested in it for different reasons“, he said, commenting on the topic at an event at Georgetown University.
The diplomat also noted that both sides have “a lot to overcome in terms of trust“ and, as with any such agreement, mechanisms to verify compliance will be needed.
The Iran-US talks are at a critical juncture following a recent diplomatic setback.
The latest round of intensive talks held in Pakistan ended without an agreement on April 12. The delegations left the Pakistani capital after 21 hours of talks, which the Iranian side described as having failed due to “unreasonable“ demands from the US.
Tensions have escalated to the point where there have been reports of physical clashes or “near-fights“ during the talks. The main disputes revolve around the regulations of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which has also caused concerns in neighboring countries such as Turkey.
The negotiations for a ceasefire and a broader peace agreement have been further complicated by Israel's actions in Lebanon, which according to diplomatic sources "spoils the game" and undermines efforts to de-escalate between Tehran and Washington.
Despite the failure in Pakistan, there is a possibility of new consultations, with mention of a possible continuation of the talks. Meanwhile, in the context of American domestic politics, Donald Trump has also commented on the need for a new type of talks with Iran.
The current situation highlights the "fragile boundaries of diplomacy" in the region, with both sides remaining in radically different positions on key security issues.