Analysis: The prospects for U.S. -Iran peace talks are slim, but the narrow channel for reaching an agreement still exists

According to Kim Chao, prospects for a diplomatic solution to the U.S. -Iraq war remain slim, but analysts believe that there is still a channel for reaching an agreement.<br /> Mediators in Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan are pushing U.S. and Iranian officials to meet as soon as this week. U.S. President Trump and his political allies have expressed a positive attitude towards the negotiations. It is reported that the United States and Israel have temporarily removed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf from the assassination list for four to five days, creating conditions for the start of negotiations.<br /> Both sides 'post-war demands significantly exceeded their pre-war positions. Iran demands that the United States compensate for war damage, close military bases in the Middle East, and charge shipping carriers transiting the Strait of Hormuz; the United States demands that Iran stop uranium enrichment, restore free navigation in the Strait, and limit its missile program and support for regional militias.<br /> Analysts believe that if the two sides determine that the cost of war is unsustainable, they may still reach a ceasefire agreement first and postpone core issues such as uranium stockpile disposal, verification mechanisms, and sanctions lifting to subsequent negotiations. Michael Singh of the Washington Institute said the path of moving a minimum ceasefire agreement in parallel with a full agenda remains feasible.