Iran Halts U.S. Talks, Threatens Strait of Hormuz Closure

Iran suspended indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States on June 1, announcing it would pursue complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz—the world's most critical oil transit route. The move follows months of stalled talks initiated in Muscat in February, where fundamental disagreements over Iran's uranium enrichment rights and ballistic missile programs proved insurmountable. The threat mirrors Iran's 2011-2012 posturing under sanctions pressure, functioning as leverage rather than imminent action. Yet Tehran simultaneously transmitted a new proposal through Pakistani mediators, signaling engagement may not be formally concluded.