US-Iran Round Two Talks Face Sharp Divisions Over Enrichment, Hormuz Control, And Hezbollah

Last Updated:April 15, 2026, 06:54 IST

Round two of US-Iran talks faces major hurdles as sharp differences persist over uranium enrichment, sanctions relief sequencing, and Strait of Hormuz control.

CNN News18 has accessed the detailed agenda for the second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran, revealing entrenched disagreements across nuclear, regional and strategic security issues.

According to the accessed agenda, the central sticking point continues to be Iran’s position on uranium enrichment.

During the first round of talks, Tehran refused to fully abandon its enrichment rights, maintaining that the programme is tied to its sovereignty and national interest.

The United States, however, continues to push for a zero-enrichment framework, insisting that the complete rollback of enrichment capability is essential for any agreement.

Differences also persist regarding sanctions relief.

Iran has demanded the immediate and full lifting of sanctions, while Washington has linked any rollback to verifiable nuclear steps and compliance benchmarks.

The sequencing of relief versus compliance remains one of the key obstacles in moving negotiations forward.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ CONTROL AND PASSAGE RIGHTS UNDER DEBATE

Another major area of disagreement relates to control, fees and passage rights in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically significant maritime corridor that has gained prominence amid the ongoing blockade tensions.

Both sides remain divided over operational oversight and the regulatory framework governing passage through the waterway.

The issue has broader implications for global energy flows and regional military positioning, making it a sensitive subject within the talks.

Iran has also raised demands relating to US withdrawal from parts of the Middle East, as well as compensation and reparations linked to the broader conflict environment.

SECURITY GUARANTEES AND PROXY NETWORKS ADD COMPLEXITY

Regional security architecture has emerged as another major negotiating track.

The United States is pressing for de-escalation commitments that include ending Iranian support to proxy groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis.

Tehran, in turn, has demanded security guarantees and an end to attacks on its regional allies, particularly in Lebanon.

The agenda indicates discussions may also include proposals around a Lebanon ceasefire as part of a wider effort to stabilise regional tensions.

Secondary issues under discussion include possible limits on Iran’s ballistic missile programme, compensation frameworks and the potential creation of a binding United Nations-backed structure to oversee implementation.

HEZBOLLAH POSITION COMPLICATES DIPLOMATIC LANDSCAPE

Inputs from an Associated Press report indicate that developments related to Lebanon and Hezbollah could further complicate negotiations linked to broader regional de-escalation.

Senior Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa told AP that the group would not adhere to any outcomes emerging from direct Lebanon-Israel negotiations taking place in the United States.

“As for the outcomes of this negotiation between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy, we are not interested in or concerned with them at all," Safa said.

“We are not bound by what they agree to," he added.

The report notes that Lebanese officials are attempting to secure a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict through US-mediated discussions, while Israeli leadership has maintained that Hezbollah’s disarmament remains a central objective.

Following last week’s truce announcement between Tehran and Washington, Israel carried out more than 100 strikes across Lebanon, including in densely populated parts of Beirut, underscoring the fragile security situation.

Hezbollah has stated that Iran was able to secure a cessation of attacks in parts of Beirut, including the southern suburbs known as Dahiyeh, although fighting has continued in southern Lebanon.

DEEP MISTRUST CONTINUES TO SHAPE NEGOTIATIONS

The CNN News18 accessed agenda reflects deep mistrust between the two sides, stemming from past strikes, shifting ceasefire conditions and competing strategic expectations.

Iran considers the US demands unrealistic and excessive, particularly regarding enrichment restrictions and regional disengagement from allied groups.

The United States, meanwhile, views Iran’s current negotiating position as insufficient to ensure long-term nuclear transparency and regional stability.

Washington has described its proposal on nuclear issues as its “best and final" offer, though it has indicated openness to further engagement through technical-level discussions.

TECHNICAL TALKS EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON NARROWING GAPS

The second round of talks is expected to prioritise technical discussions aimed at bridging differences over verification mechanisms, sequencing of sanctions relief and the framework for regional security guarantees.

However, the scale of disagreements across nuclear policy, maritime control, proxy conflicts, reparations and missile limitations suggests that significant hurdles remain before any comprehensive agreement can be reached.

Diplomatic sources indicate that Iran’s continued participation in negotiations may be influenced by blockade pressures and ceasefire timelines tied to broader regional dynamics.

News world US-Iran Round Two Talks Face Sharp Divisions Over Enrichment, Hormuz Control, And Hezbollah

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