Summary
- Indirect talks between the US and Iran have stalled, raising scenarios in which President Trump must choose among pressure, diplomacy and military action.
- Iran has rejected a temporary ceasefire conditioned on reopening the Strait of Hormuz or giving up enriched uranium, while demanding a permanent ceasefire and continued control of the waterway.
- Alongside a warning from a spokesperson for Qatar's Foreign Ministry, US stock-index futures fell, with S&P 500 futures, Dow futures and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.5%%, 0.4%% and 0.6%%, respectively.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
As indirect talks between the US and Iran remain deadlocked, competing scenarios are emerging over President Donald Trump's next move.
Walter Bloomberg reported on April 7 that contacts between Washington and Tehran are continuing, but talks on a 45-day ceasefire have made only limited progress.
Trump now faces a choice between pressure, diplomacy and military action. Three possible responses are emerging at the same time: backing down, delaying negotiations or launching a military strike.
Iran has rejected a temporary ceasefire conditioned on reopening the Strait of Hormuz or abandoning enriched uranium, the report said. Instead, Tehran is demanding a permanent ceasefire while retaining control of the strait. It has also proposed sharing transit fees with Oman.
Iran is skeptical the talks would be effective because it believes attacks by the US and Israel would continue even if negotiations move forward.
With both sides holding to their positions, the negotiations have entered a critical phase, Walter Bloomberg reported.
Separately, a spokesperson for Qatar's Foreign Ministry warned that the situation is nearing a point where it could spiral out of control.
US stock-index futures also moved lower. S&P 500 futures fell 0.5%, Dow futures slipped 0.4%, and Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 0.6%.
Minseung Kang
minriver@bloomingbit.ioBlockchain journalist | Writer of Trade Now & Altcoin Now, must-read content for investors.
