TEHRAN, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Iranian and U.S. delegations have a "serious disagreement" over the Strait of Hormuz, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Saturday.
The report said that, following in-person negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, expert and technical teams had reached the stage of exchanging texts to develop a joint framework for further talks. However, it said the U.S. side had stalled progress with what it described as "usual excessive demands."
It added that talks are continuing, but said Iran is insisting on preserving what it called its "military achievements" and ensuring its rights are respected.
Delegations from Iran and the United States are in Islamabad for talks aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East following a ceasefire reached earlier this week after more than a month of fighting.
Also on Saturday, Tasnim said the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and that no shipping traffic is moving through the waterway. It said Iran earlier in the day denied passage to a U.S. Navy destroyer that attempted to enter the strait.
Citing a military official, Tasnim said Iran remains determined to prevent "unauthorized passage" through the strategic waterway, adding that transit would only be allowed with Iranian permission.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Saturday that two U.S. warships transited the Strait of Hormuz and began mine-clearing operations in the Gulf. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters rejected that account, "strongly" denying CENTCOM's claim that American vessels were approaching and entering the strait.
"The passage of any vessel lies with the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the Iranian armed forces said. ■
