A fresh diplomatic dispute has emerged between Washington and Tehran following conflicting statements regarding the outcome of recent high-level talks in Switzerland, while the US Senate mounted a symbolic challenge to potential military actions in the region.

US President Donald Trump announced that Iran had agreed to "permanent and indefinite" inspections of its nuclear facilities, branding it a major breakthrough toward a "very good deal." However, officials in Tehran swiftly rejected the claim. Iranian representatives stated that the technical talks in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, did not include commitments regarding the return of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors.

President Trump responded sharply to the denials, warning that he would immediately terminate the negotiations if reports of Iran rejecting the inspections proved true. He reiterated that the administration's primary objective remains ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.

As part of the initial diplomatic maneuvering, President Trump confirmed he had authorized the release of $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets. However, the funds will not be transferred in cash; instead, they will be restricted to a US-controlled account to be used exclusively for purchasing American agricultural and humanitarian goods, such as wheat and corn.

Meanwhile, tensions eased slightly in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical choke point for global energy shipments. Following the initial round of talks, maritime traffic began returning to normal, leading to a noticeable drop in global oil prices.

In a joint statement, Iran and Oman emphasized their sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that they would cooperate closely to manage and secure maritime traffic in the waterway without Western intervention.

In Washington, the executive branch faced domestic pushback as the US Senate passed a non-binding resolution calling for the cessation of US military activities against Iran and the withdrawal of forces from the region. The symbolic measure passed with a narrow 50-to-48 vote.

Democratic senators argued that the administration was bypassing Congress's constitutional authority to declare war. Conversely, several Republicans criticized the resolution, warning that it could weaken Washington’s leverage at the negotiating table.

While the resolution lacks legal teeth, analysts view it as a significant political signal reflecting deep bipartisan anxiety within Congress over the risk of a new military conflict in the Middle East. Minitrial talks are expected to continue over the next 60 days to address the core disputes surrounding the nuclear dossier.(ILKHA)