**WASHINGTON** — Diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz has stalled even as the United States and Iran traded strikes again this week, ending more than a month of relative military calm.
A June memorandum of understanding was meant to open talks on limits to Iran’s nuclear work, the waterway and a phased easing of U.S. pressure. By late August, President Donald Trump said Washington was not seeking a meeting and would not return to that framework. The White House has framed the next phase as economic pressure — “Economic Outcast” after earlier combat operations — until Tehran negotiates on terms he calls “good and proper.” Qatar’s prime minister visited Tehran last week to urge a return to talks. Trump has said Iran is the side asking to deal.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly argued that Iran cannot levy tolls on an international waterway and that Hormuz must stay open. Negotiators earlier discussed requiring Iran to give up highly enriched uranium, accept tighter enrichment limits and submit to verification, in exchange for ending a U.S. naval blockade and unwinding sanctions in stages. Those points were never locked in. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has said the sides found some areas of understanding but no final text, and has accused Washington of shifting positions. Technical rules, inspections and enforcement remain the gap.
On the water, U.S. Central Command said this week that Navy divers, SEALs and air units had cleared Iranian sea mines from the strait’s international traffic lanes after months of work, allowing escorted commercial transit. Adm. Brad Cooper called it a major milestone. The United States still runs a blockade of Iranian ports and says Iran’s oil exports from its own shores have been cut off.
That did not end the fight. CENTCOM said U.S. forces struck Iranian mine-laying equipment on Larak Island, off Bandar Abbas, after observing rockets prepared to put mines back into the strait. Officials called the action limited self-defense to protect shipping and U.S. forces. Iran answered with missiles toward U.S. sites in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Trump said there would be a further response.
Talks in Doha earlier this summer never produced a signed comprehensive deal. Military pressure and mediation are running on separate tracks. Until verification, Hormuz and sanctions are settled in writing, officials on both sides say the outcome is still open.
