Iran's Foreign Minister Says Lack of Trust Hinders US Nuclear Talks

Iran's foreign minister said Friday that a lack of trust remains the biggest obstacle to negotiations aimed at ending the war with the United States. Abbas Araghchi told reporters in New Delhi that contradictory messages from Washington have made Tehran reluctant to accept American intentions at face value. He added that talks could advance only if the U.S.

pursued a fair and balanced deal. While the Iranian offer reportedly included some nuclear concessions, Trump has insisted on removing all highly enriched uranium from the country and preventing any path to nuclear weapons.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program serves only peaceful purposes. The uranium stockpile has emerged as one of the most difficult issues in the stalled talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who joined with Trump in launching the war on Feb.

28, has also called for complete removal of Iran's enriched uranium. Russia previously offered to accept the stockpile, though Araghchi said that proposal is not under active discussion for now. " — Abbas Araghchi, May 15, 2026 (The Independent) Iran remains open to diplomatic assistance from other nations, particularly China.

Araghchi cited Beijing's earlier success in restoring ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. He welcomed any Chinese effort to advance diplomacy even as Beijing has shown limited public interest in deeper involvement. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed during talks that concluded Friday that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened.

Iran continues to control the waterway, through which a fifth of global oil flowed before the conflict. The U.S. maintains a blockade of Iranian ports. A Chinese private security company reported losing contact Thursday with the vessel Hui Chuan, an offshore work platform anchored off the United Arab Emirates coast.

Sinoguards said it was later informed through official channels that Iranian authorities had taken the ship into their waters for documentation and compliance checks. No injuries were reported and the crew is cooperating. The incident occurred as Iranian officials reiterated their claim of control over the Strait of Hormuz and asserted a right to seize tankers linked to the U.S.

It followed U.S. seizures of vessels in the Gulf of Oman last month. Pakistan's foreign ministry said it had helped secure the return of 11 Pakistani nationals and 20 Iranian citizens from those vessels, all reported in good health.

Pakistan continues separate diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions, with officials stating that contacts over ceasefire proposals remain active. A foreign ministry spokesperson told reporters in Islamabad on Thursday that the peace process was still working. The United Arab Emirates is accelerating work on a new oil pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz entirely.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan directed state oil company ADNOC to speed up construction during a meeting of Abu Dhabi's executive council. The existing pipeline already carries 1.5 million barrels per day to the port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman. The new line is expected to double ADNOC's export capacity through Fujairah and become operational next year.

The move comes as the worldwide energy crisis sparked by the conflict continues and the shaky ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. shows signs of strain. >"Chinese have a good intention.