U.S. President Donald Trump, who made a dramatic announcement on Monday morning about US-Iran talks to end the war, repeated later on Monday that there is a strong chance of reaching an agreement with Iran to end the war. He added that such a deal could remove threats to the United States. “We had great talks with Iran. We’ve been talking a lot, but this time they’re serious,” he said.

However, the Wall Street Journal reported that, despite indirect US-Iran contacts, significant gaps remain between the sides, and Arab mediators expressed doubt that the talks would yield an agreement.

According to the report, Arab officials have held separate talks with both Washington and Tehran. However, Iran has set a very high bar for ending hostilities, with demands described as extreme.

At the center of the negotiations is the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which roughly one-fifth of the global oil supply passes. Since Iran restricted shipping there, global oil and gas prices have surged.

Arab mediators proposed placing the strait under a neutral regional committee to guarantee safe passage. Egypt also suggested a five-day ceasefire to build trust.

Iran’s response reportedly came from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, whose influence has grown since the war began. According to sources, the IRGC demanded a new arrangement in which Iran would collect transit fees from ships passing through Hormuz, similar to Egypt’s fees in the Suez Canal.

Additional Iranian demands include guarantees that the war will not resume, meaning no future U.S. or Israeli strikes; the closure of U.S. bases in the Middle East; compensation for war damages; and a halt to Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. A separate Saudi report indicated Iran also seeks to include Lebanon in any final agreement.

The report notes that Iran has hardened its positions since the second week of the war. Having withstood extensive U.S.-Israeli strikes and hit sensitive targets in the Gulf, Tehran is unlikely to settle for a simple ceasefire that leaves it vulnerable to future attacks.

However, the Gulf states strongly oppose Iran’s demand to collect transit fees. Some officials said Saudi Arabia made clear it would not allow Iran to gain the upper hand in the strait.

The United States continues to insist on suspension of Iran’s missile program, a ban on uranium enrichment, ending Iranian support for militias and terror groups, and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump suggested any agreement might involve “joint control” of the strait, adding, “Maybe me… me and the Ayatollah, whoever the next Ayatollah is.”

Despite skepticism, multiple countries are involved in mediation efforts, including Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, and Oman.

According to the Financial Times, Pakistan is positioning itself as a key mediator. Its army chief, Asim Munir, reportedly spoke with Trump, and Pakistani officials have relayed messages between Tehran and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as Jared Kushner.

Pakistan’s lack of U.S. bases and the fact that it has not been targeted by Iran have helped it present itself as a neutral intermediary.

An Iranian official told Al Jazeera that while formal negotiations are denied, “messages have been exchanged” via Egypt and Turkey to reduce tensions. He warned that closing the strait and laying mines remain options in the case of any “reckless US actions.”

An Israeli official said, “There is a U.S. desire to explore options. There are different voices in the administration—some want to continue and some to end the war. The Americans know our red lines, and they are very similar to theirs.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)