Iran vs US: Key sticking points between Trump administration and IRGC demands

Fresh diplomatic efforts are underway to end the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war in West Asia, but deep disagreements between Washington and Tehran continue to stall the progress.

While the administration of United States President Donald Trump has reportedly offered a detailed 15-point ceasefire framework, Iranian negotiators — shaped by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — have outlined their own set of demands, creating sharp points of friction across key issues.

The US has proposed a month-long ceasefire and strict conditions targeting Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities. However, Tehran has responded with sweeping political, military and economic conditions of its own.

Below is a point-by-point comparison of the major sticking points in the negotiations:

Iran’s nuclear programme

The most fundamental dispute concerns Iran’s nuclear activities. The Trump administration wants Tehran to kill its nuclear capability entirely, including halting uranium enrichment and handing over stockpiles to international monitors.

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Iran, however, insists it has a sovereign right to keep a peaceful nuclear energy programme. This issue represents the most critical clash between the two sides, with neither willing to compromise.

Trump has claimed that Iran has “agreed” to dismantle its programme, but Iran called it a total lie and fake news.

Iran’s missile programme

Washington is also pushing for strict limits on the range and stockpile of Iran’s ballistic missiles. The US views the programme as a threat to regional allies, particularly Israel.

Tehran, on the other hand, considers its missile arsenal essential as a shield for national defence and has indicated it will not negotiate on the issue, making it a red line in the talks.

Strait of Hormuz

Another point of disagreement is control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

The US insists the waterway must remain open as an unrestricted international shipping lane.

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Iran, however, has proposed a regulatory system that would allow it to control passage and charge transit fees, similar to Egypt’s system governing the Suez Canal.

A controlled corridor now seems to exist as “non-hostile” ships, such as from India and China, are coordinating safe passage with the Iranian authorities.

US military bases in the Gulf

Iran has demanded the closure of all US military bases across the Gulf region as a precondition for negotiations.

The US position, however, is to maintain its military presence as part of its regional deterrence strategy, creating another major obstacle to a deal.

Sanctions relief to Iran

Sequencing of sanctions removal remains another contentious issue. Washington wants sanctions lifted only after Iran meets all conditions under a final agreement.

Iran, by contrast, is demanding the immediate removal of all international sanctions before committing to a broader deal.

Also Read: US-Iran ceasefire talks: What are Tehran’s demands against Trump’s proposed peace plan

The contention is now over “who goes first” and may be a possible hurdle to the peace plan.

Regional allies and proxy groups

The US proposal reportedly calls on Iran to stop funding, training and arming allied militias such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis across the region.

Iran has instead demanded that Israeli attacks on groups such as Hezbollah cease, arguing that these groups form part of its regional security network.

War damages and guarantees

Tehran has also demanded financial compensation for damage caused by the US and Israeli strikes, a demand US officials reportedly described as “unrealistic” and “ridiculous”.

Iran is further seeking binding guarantees that Washington will not launch future attacks, reflecting distrust after the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018.

The US has contended that Iran started the war and should pay for their own damage. The US also does not give any promise that it will not strike Iran in the future.

With both sides maintaining firm positions on several core issues, bridging the gap between the US proposal and Iran’s demands remains a significant challenge for bringing this war to an end.

Also Read: US-Iran contacts underway; Tehran open to ‘sustainable’ proposals to end war, says report