Iran, US still far apart in peace talks, Iranian official says; Pezeshkian vows no surrender

Key Points:

• Iran and the United States remain deeply divided on ending their ongoing war, with Iran rejecting US pressure and prioritizing lifting a naval blockade and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while diplomacy continues through indirect talks.
• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned US threats at the UN General Assembly, emphasizing Iran's refusal to surrender and demanding control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route.
• The US has threatened secondary sanctions on countries allowing Iranian flights, while Iran warns it will retaliate against neighboring countries restricting its air traffic, highlighting escalating tensions beyond the battlefield.
• Diplomatic efforts face internal resistance within Iran, especially from hardliners linked to the Revolutionary Guards, who oppose engagement with US envoys and view talks as undermining the memory of Iran’s slain leader.
• The conflict, launched by the US and Israel in February, has caused thousands of deaths, disrupted global energy supplies, and led to frequent attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, though oil exports from some Gulf countries have partially recovered despite ongoing risks.