Nearly three months after war broke out in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz emerged as the centre of a dangerous global energy crisis, the United States-Israel and Iran still appear far from sealing a final agreement despite intense diplomatic activity and repeated claims of progress from both sides.

Iran and the United States are held in an impasse over several key issues, blocking serious talks to end the war. James C. Reynolds and Alex Croft report

US President Donald Trump flagged progress in talks with Iran, Tehran has warned that major gaps still stand in the way of dialing down the conflict.