Diplomacy at a Deadlock: Tehran Blames Washington and Israel for War Consequences, Refuses to Open Hormuz

A thick cloud of uncertainty hung over the Islamabad peace talks on Thursday, April 23, 2026, following stern remarks from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He asserted that the United States and Israel bear full responsibility for the aftermath of the war that erupted on February 28. Speaking to a South Korean envoy, Araghchi emphasized that "the aggressors" must face the consequences of their actions, signaling Tehran’s refusal to back down under pressure.

The Hormuz Deadlock and Nuclear Standoff Simultaneously, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf ruled out the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as long as the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports continues. The negotiations remain stalled due to deep divisions over Iran's nuclear program; Tehran insists on maintaining its enrichment rights and refuses to transfer its stockpile abroad, while Washington demands a total cessation of high-level enrichment and the removal of the nuclear stockpile as a prerequisite for lifting the blockade.

Conflicting Timelines at the White House In Washington, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that President Donald Trump has not set a strict deadline for an Iranian proposal, despite his recent comments to the New York Post about potential talks within 36 to 72 hours. While Trump unilaterally extended the suspension of strikes to allow room for diplomacy, the "Strait of Hormuz vs. Naval Blockade" dilemma remains the primary obstacle, leaving the Middle East balanced between a fragile truce and a total regional collapse.