Street scene in Tehran, the capital of Iran, on the 25th (local time) [EPA=Yonhap News]

Peace talks between the United States and Iran have once again reached a stalemate due to disagreements over restricting the nuclear program and easing sanctions, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 25th (local time).

Citing mediators, the WSJ reported that negotiations are slowing down as both the U.S. and Iran maintain firm stances on the sequencing of nuclear program-related measures and sanctions relief.

This news comes just one day after U.S. President Donald Trump and government officials mentioned that they were "close to an agreement."

Currently, both sides are reportedly discussing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that includes easing restrictions on passage through the Strait of Hormuz, extending the ceasefire, and commencing follow-up nuclear negotiations.

According to the mediators, the U.S. is demanding preemptive and clear restrictive measures regarding Iran's nuclear program. In contrast, Iran insists that concrete guarantees for sanctions relief and the unfreezing of assets must be prioritized.

The U.S. is concerned that Iran might delay nuclear negotiations while only securing partial benefits from sanctions relief, the mediators conveyed.

However, both the U.S. and Iran are in urgent need of a negotiated settlement, considering their domestic political and economic situations.

President Trump faces fatigue from a prolonged conflict and the burden of rising oil prices, while Iran also needs to escape the economic hardships exacerbated by U.S. sanctions and maritime controls.

Gulf countries generally support the negotiations but are concerned about the possibility of the U.S. withdrawing from the Middle East before its security concerns are addressed.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), among others, are demanding that the MOU explicitly include provisions guaranteeing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Conversely, Israel, concerned that the agreement might ease pressure on Iran and the pro-Iranian armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon, is demanding stronger conditions from the U.S. government, the WSJ reported.

Mediators are also paying attention to the intentions of Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and potential changes in Iran's power structure.

Since Mojtaba's election in March, he has made few public appearances or statements, leading mediators to worry about who actually holds power, the WSJ reported. They are also trying to ascertain his views on negotiation-related matters, it added.

Iran has also pointed to U.S. "instability" during the negotiation process.

Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated on the same day, "The U.S. policy and decision-making process suffers from a kind of institutional instability, leading to frequent personnel changes."

President Trump is also pursuing an expansion of the Abraham Accords to include Iran, if this negotiation is successfully concluded.

The Abraham Accords are agreements for the normalization of relations between Israel and surrounding Arab nations, and their realization remains uncertain due to the complex relationships each country has with Israel.