The United States and Iran are not making concessions before the talks. What the media is writing

The United States and Iran have not been able to start full-fledged negotiations on ending the conflict between them. The parties impose impossible demands on each other and continue to commit actions that do not contribute to de-escalation. At the same time, US President Donald Trump says that Tehran is ready to conclude a deal. How the world's media reacts to an attempt to start a dialogue is in the Izvestia digest.

Associated Press: Iran and the United States have strengthened their positions

Iran and the United States have tightened their positions ahead of the talks, and diplomatic efforts to achieve a cease-fire in the war in the Middle East appear to have reached an impasse. Tehran has taken steps to formalize its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz, while Washington was preparing for the arrival of American combat forces in the region that could be used on the territory of the Islamic Republic.

Meanwhile, a strike group with the American amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, carrying about 2,500 Marines, approached the Middle East. In addition, at least 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division have been sent to the region. The movement of troops does not guarantee that US President Donald Trump will try to use force to force Iran to open the strait and stop attacks on the Arab states of the Persian Gulf.

CNN: Obstacles to ending the war come to the fore

US allies from the Persian Gulf and Europe are closely monitoring the situation and are increasingly concerned about the lack of progress in negotiations to end the conflict or even establish a ceasefire. Despite the efforts being made to organize a meeting between the two sides, sources say that such a meeting is unlikely to take place in the near future, given the significant differences in views between the two countries. The specter of continued military action by the United States and Israel looms over potential negotiations. Meanwhile, Tehran believes that it possesses a key tool that it did not have before the start of the war: de facto control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran probably doesn't change its perception of Trump's position of offering capitulation or escalation, and it doesn't seem to take the prospect of diplomacy seriously. The Iranian official outlined the country's own list of demands, which includes a complete cessation of "aggression and killings," the creation of specific mechanisms to prevent the resumption of war against Iran, guaranteed and clearly defined payment of compensation for war damage and reparations, cessation of hostilities on all fronts and against all Iranian allies in the region, as well as a guarantee of sovereignty. Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.

The New York Times: Trump spreads peace plan and gathers troops

Almost a month after the start of the war, the United States and Iran are trying to find a way to negotiate peace terms, with each side insisting on its superiority in the conflict and desperately seeking a way out of it. According to diplomats, the United States has circulated a 15-point peace plan demanding a complete end to Iran's nuclear program and strict limits on the range and size of its missile arsenal. It strongly resembled the demands of the United States during the negotiations that failed before the February 28 attacks.

Diplomats in the Persian Gulf and South Asian countries said they expect Iran to waver between defiance and some willingness to negotiate with the United States. They said that Iranian officials would like to have this conversation with Vice President J.D. Vance, who makes no secret of his skepticism about long-term American overseas operations. If the administration is trying to lure Iran into negotiations, then Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is not making the task any easier. He continued his bellicose warnings and stated that he, too, was negotiating with bombs.

Reuters: Trump announced the desire of Iran's leaders to conclude a deal

Trump said Iran was desperate to reach a deal that would end nearly four weeks of fighting, contradicting a statement by Iran's foreign minister, who said his country was considering the U.S. proposal but had no intention of negotiating a settlement to the conflict. The contradictory statements came amid the growing economic and humanitarian consequences of the war, fuel shortages around the world, and attempts by companies and countries to contain the effects.

Trump did not name those with whom the United States is negotiating on Iran, despite the fact that many senior officials died after the attack of the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. Israel removed Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf from its list of targets after Pakistan asked Washington not to strike them, a Pakistani source familiar with the discussions said.

Keep a resource: SCO allows economic support for Iran

How much damage has the US and Israeli attacks already caused to the country

Politico: Trump's rambling calls on Iran have stumped allies

According to four European government officials, Trump's statements about what he wants from the allies in his war against Iran are so contradictory that any attempts to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz remain stalled. Washington has not sent any requests for equipment, officials said, while allies are also reluctant to send their military forces to the region due to concerns that they could be attacked by Iran.

In some European capitals, they pay attention to double standards. American officials have repeatedly intimidated Europeans, forcing them to focus on protecting their own continent so that Washington can redirect its attention to other areas. Now Trump is asking them to deploy troops to the Middle East. In the absence of specific requests for help, the Allies have so far limited themselves to what they can offer: meetings, statements, and words of support.