The United States and Iran are closer than ever to reaching an agreement in ongoing negotiations, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, adding that discussions have made significant progress despite lingering tensions over maritime security and sanctions enforcement.
“Both sides want to reach a positive conclusion. An agreement is closer than ever,” Fidan told Japan’s Nikkei newspaper in an interview published on Saturday.
Fidan said Turkey supports mediation efforts led by Qatar and Pakistan, and described the current phase of talks as shifting focus from nuclear issues to broader regional and maritime security concerns, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.
He said negotiators had outlined a framework linking progress on nuclear talks to the resumption of normal shipping through the strategic waterway, a critical route for global energy supplies.
“After a ceasefire was agreed by Iran, the U.S. and Israel, the focus of negotiations had shifted to the Strait of Hormuz,” Fidan said. “The parties outlined a plan that paves the way for nuclear talks once shipping through the strait resumes.”
He warned that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz were creating wide-ranging global economic pressure.
“The effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is putting too much pressure on both the U.S. and Iran, affecting energy security, global prices, food security and economic growth,” he said. “This has become a situation that takes priority over the nuclear files.”
Fidan also suggested that a breakthrough between Washington and Tehran could help unlock stalled diplomatic efforts on other regional conflicts, including Gaza.
He said progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations could “accelerate discussions of a settlement plan for the Gaza Strip.”
The comments come amid conflicting claims over maritime restrictions and sanctions enforcement. Iranian adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei, Mohsen Rezaei, accused Washington of undermining diplomacy, saying U.S. actions on shipping lanes contradicted public statements about easing tensions.
“As expected, the U.S. president has betrayed diplomacy for the third time,” Rezaei wrote on X, alleging that continued pressure and “excessive demands” showed Washington was not genuinely pursuing negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier said on social media that a naval blockade against Iran “will now be lifted,” though Iranian officials have disputed any change on the ground.
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iranian targets on Feb. 28, triggering a cycle of retaliatory attacks and a later ceasefire announced on April 7. Subsequent talks, including meetings in Islamabad, failed to produce a breakthrough, while disputes over maritime access and sanctions enforcement have continued to complicate negotiations.
