As U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned the possibility of talks with Iran, some predict that if negotiations do take place, Iran will present conditions tougher than at the time of the armistice.
Reuters reported on the 24th (local time), citing three senior Iranian sources, that Iran is considering demanding guarantees to halt future U.S. military actions, compensation for war damage, and recognition of formal control over the Strait of Hormuz in negotiations with the United States.
In particular, Iran is said to be sticking to the position that restrictions on its ballistic missile program, which it considers central to national security, cannot be a subject of negotiation. Even before the war during the nuclear talks, Iran maintained that the missile program could not be put on the table.
Meanwhile, President Trump said he was having very good talks with Iran and was optimistic about the possibility of negotiations, but Iran officially denied this. Instead, Iran is said to be checking the conditions for talks by conducting preliminary discussions through third countries such as Pakistan, Turkiye, and Egypt.
Some observers also say Egypt, Pakistan, and Gulf countries have launched so-called shuttle diplomacy, exchanging messages between the two sides. As early as this week, there is talk of the possibility of direct talks between the two countries in Islamabad, Pakistan.
However, Reuters added, "Within Iran, skepticism remains about the effectiveness of any agreement, citing precedents in which attacks continued even after past armistice deals," and "Senior Israeli officials also believe Iran is unlikely to easily change its core positions regarding its nuclear and ballistic missile programs."