{
  "id": 1677752,
  "title": "US says Iran refusing concessions in back-channel talks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/us-says-iran-refusing-concessions-in-back-channel-talks",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T09:09:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/gulf/2026/08/18/us-says-iran-refusing-concessions-in-back-channel-talks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United States has asserted that Iran is unwilling to make concessions deemed essential for a durable peace agreement, as the 60-day deadline for negotiations approached without a breakthrough. Jared Kushner, the US special envoy, declared that Tehran is uninterested in reaching a \"real deal,\" insisting that Iran must abandon its nuclear capabilities and cease funding regional terrorism. Trump, however, expressed openness to an agreement if Iran relinquished its nuclear ambitions and ceased regional support for terrorism. Despite the stalemate, Kushner emphasized robust US-Iranian communications, although acknowledging the lack of a formal agreement. Iran reportedly prepared to escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, including potential attacks on US naval vessels if diplomacy failed. The US and Iran had until Monday to finalize a peace settlement, but the agreement's 60-day timeframe has been rendered moot. Iran blamed delays on \"destructive efforts\" by certain factions, while shipping through the strategically vital strait has plummeted, with only five vessels passing through on Saturday and none on Sunday, compared to the usual 31 ships. The situation has further deteriorated, with reports of attacks on UAE-owned vessels in the strait, prompting US threats of military retaliation against Oman if it impedes US-Iranian negotiations. Iran is grappling with economic turmoil, exacerbated by the war, leading to inflation, currency devaluation, energy scarcity, and sanctions-induced disruptions to trade and infrastructure. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged both Washington and Tehran to maintain dialogue and use diplomacy extensively in resolving the crisis.",
  "summary": "The US has said Iran is refusing to make concessions that Washington considers necessary for a lasting peace deal, as Tehran appeared to adopt a harder line after the expiry of a 60-day window for talks. “Iran is not showing any interest in doing something that makes sense for us,” said Jared Kushner, US special envoy. “They have to be willing to make a real deal.” Mr Kushner said US President…",
  "key_points": [
    "Iran uninterested in concessions for peace deal",
    "US envoy Jared Kushner says Iran must abandon nuclear ambitions",
    "Tensions rise in Strait of Hormuz as shipping plummets"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "US says Iran refusing concessions in back-channel talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/us-says-iran-refusing-concessions-in-back-channel-talks-1679253",
        "published": "2026-08-18T09:09:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Iran’s parliament speaker Ghalibaf to visit Iraq for talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/irans-parliament-speaker-ghalibaf-to-visit-iraq-for-talks",
        "published": "2026-08-18T09:51:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Iran parliament speaker Ghalibaf to visit Iraq for talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/iran-parliament-speaker-ghalibaf-to-visit-iraq-for-talks",
        "published": "2026-08-18T10:31:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}