U.S.-Iran Talks: Exhaust All Diplomatic Efforts To Ensure Ceasefire Does Not Collapse

Editorial

14:00 JST, April 14, 2026

It is deeply regrettable that the U.S.-Iran talks, which were aimed at ending the fighting, have ended without any results. No prospects have emerged for lifting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic point for transporting crude oil.

If the situation continues, the ceasefire — which is set to remain in place for one more week — could collapse. The United States and Iran must refrain from attacking each other and exhaust all diplomatic efforts in order to completely end the fighting.

The U.S.-Iran talks were held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, which served as the mediator, and attended by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, among others. This marked the highest-level in-person interaction between the two countries since they severed diplomatic relations following the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

However, the two sides could not bridge their differences on key issues such as ensuring safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear development.

Following the talks, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed the view that Iran would return to the negotiating table. Ghalibaf said, “If you come forward with logic, we will deal with logic.” While the negotiations are at a crossroads between continuing and breaking down, both countries should stick to the policy of resolving the situation through dialogue.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Iran unilaterally claims control and has begun collecting tolls from tankers and other vessels passing through.

In response, Trump declared on social media that the United States will blockade the strait, indicating that the United States intends to take control of the waterway to counter Iran. Trump said he would not allow any ships going through the strait to enter or exit Iranian ports.

The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway where vessels from any country are entitled to free passage. Neither Iran nor the United States has the authority to collect tolls or exercise control over it.

If the U.S. military dispatches warships to enforce a blockade, leading to a clash between the U.S. and Iranian navies, a prolonged fight would be inevitable.

If the supply of crude oil, liquefied natural gas and other such energy resources is further disrupted, the global economy could plunge into unprecedented turmoil.

A cause for major concern is the actions of Israel, which attacked Iran alongside the United States.

The administration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been using missiles to intensely attack the Lebanese capital of Beirut in addition to southern Lebanon, where the pro-Iranian group Hezbollah is based. More than 300 people have reportedly been killed even after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

Even if the United States and Iran stopped fighting, the war in the Middle East will not end if Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon. Trump must put a stop to Netanyahu’s reckless actions.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 14, 2026)