JUST IN: Iran Claims ‘Upper Hand’ in US Negotiations, Says Americans Have ‘Suffered Major Defeats’
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Conflict
In a bold assertion of confidence as high-stakes peace talks continue in Islamabad, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi has declared that Iran holds the “upper hand” in negotiations with the United States. The senior diplomat further claimed that Americans have “not achieved their strategic goals” and have “suffered major defeats” over the course of the 40-day war .
The statement, which stands in stark contrast to President Donald Trump’s declarations of complete victory over Iran’s military, underscores the vast gulf in how the two nations perceive the outcome of the conflict. As delegations meet face-to-face at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, both sides are claiming momentum—and neither appears willing to concede .
‘The Americans Have Not Achieved Their Strategic Goals’
Takht-Ravanchi, who serves as both Deputy Foreign Minister and a senior member of Iran’s nuclear negotiation team, was unequivocal in his assessment of the talks and the broader conflict.
“The Americans have not achieved their strategic goals and have suffered major defeats so far. The Iran team has the upper hand in the negotiations and is negotiating from a position of strength.” — Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister
The deputy minister’s remarks reflect Tehran’s official position that the Islamic Republic has successfully resisted US-Israeli military pressure and forced Washington to the negotiating table on Iranian terms. Iran has consistently framed its acceptance of the ceasefire and subsequent negotiations as a “historic victory” and a sign that the United States has been forced to accept Iran’s 10-point peace framework .
Takht-Ravanchi’s claim of the “upper hand” is supported by Iran’s continued ability to control the Strait of Hormuz, maintain military operations through its proxies in Lebanon and Yemen, and keep its nuclear program intact despite intensive US-Israeli strikes .
‘Major Defeats’: What Iran Is Counting
While President Trump has declared that the United States has “completely destroyed Iran’s Military, including their entire Navy and Air Force,” Iranian officials point to a different set of metrics in claiming victory.
| Metric | Iranian Claim | Independent Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Strait of Hormuz | Under Iranian control | Largely restricted; Iran sets terms |
| US military objectives | Not achieved | Mixed: leadership decapitated, but Iran still operational |
| Iranian leadership | Intact (wounded but governing) | Khamenei alive, governing remotely |
| Proxy forces | Operational | Hezbollah continues attacks; Houthis active |
| Nuclear program | Preserved | Enrichment continues |
| Negotiating position | “Upper hand” | Both sides claiming leverage |
Sources: Multiple news reports, official statements
Iran’s ability to continue restricting the Strait of Hormuz—and to threaten US naval vessels that attempt to enter—represents a significant strategic achievement. Despite intensive US-Israeli strikes, Tehran has maintained effective control over the waterway through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil passes .
Iran’s proxy network also remains operational. Hezbollah continues to launch rockets and missiles at Israeli territory, and the Houthis in Yemen have maintained pressure on Red Sea shipping. These capabilities give Iran leverage that extends far beyond its borders .
The ‘Strategic Goals’ Question
Takht-Ravanchi’s assertion that the United States “has not achieved its strategic goals” raises the question: what were those goals, and have they been met?
Potential US strategic objectives and their status:
| Objective | Status |
|---|---|
| Decapitate Iranian leadership | Partially achieved: Ali Khamenei killed; Mojtaba wounded but alive |
| Destroy nuclear program | Not achieved: enrichment continues |
| Eliminate missile arsenal | Significantly degraded but thousands remain |
| Open Strait of Hormuz | Not achieved: strait remains largely restricted |
| Force Iranian surrender | Not achieved: Iran at negotiating table, not capitulation |
| Regime change | Not achieved: Islamic Republic still governing |
The mixed outcome suggests that while the United States has inflicted significant damage, it has not achieved the decisive victory Trump has claimed. Iran remains a functioning state with substantial military capabilities and continues to negotiate from a position of perceived strength .
The ‘Position of Strength’: Iran’s Leverage at the Table
Iran’s claim of the “upper hand” is based on several factors that have become evident during the Islamabad talks:
1. Control of the Strait of Hormuz
Iran has demonstrated that it can effectively close the strait to US-allied shipping while allowing passage to vessels from “friendly” nations like China and Russia. This asymmetric capability gives Tehran significant economic leverage .
2. Military Deterrence
Iran’s warning that a US Navy destroyer would be attacked within 30 minutes if it entered the strait—and the vessel’s subsequent retreat—demonstrates that Tehran’s military threats are taken seriously .
3. Proxy Network
Hezbollah’s continued attacks on Israel and the Houthis’ pressure on Red Sea shipping give Iran multiple fronts on which to apply pressure, complicating any US or Israeli response .
4. Nuclear Latency
Iran’s proximity to nuclear weapons capability—with uranium enriched to 60%—provides ultimate strategic leverage. The possibility of breakout gives Tehran a powerful negotiating chip .
5. Diplomatic Positioning
By securing the release of frozen assets as a precondition for talks (according to Iranian claims, though the US denies an agreement), Iran has extracted concessions before formal negotiations even began .
The Contradiction with Trump’s Claims
Takht-Ravanchi’s assertion of Iranian strength directly contradicts President Trump’s declarations of complete victory. On Saturday, Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States has “completely destroyed Iran’s Military, including their entire Navy and Air Force, and everything else” and that Iran’s “Leadership is DEAD!” .
| Claim | Trump | Takht-Ravanchi |
|---|---|---|
| Military outcome | US victory, Iran destroyed | US suffered “major defeats” |
| Leadership | “DEAD!” | Wounded but governing |
| Negotiating position | US has “no cards” | Iran has “upper hand” |
| Strategic goals | Achieved | “Not achieved” |
Sources: Truth Social, Iranian official statements
The starkly divergent narratives reflect the reality that neither side has achieved a decisive victory. The war has ended in a strategic stalemate—one that both sides are now attempting to spin as a win while pursuing their remaining objectives at the negotiating table .
The ’10-Point Framework’: Iran’s Victory Narrative
Central to Iran’s claim of the “upper hand” is its assertion that the United States has accepted Iran’s 10-point peace proposal as the basis for negotiations . According to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, this framework includes demands that Washington previously rejected:
Iran’s 10-point demands (as claimed by Tehran):
- Cessation of aggression on all fronts, including against Hezbollah in Lebanon
- Guarantees for safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian coordination
- Complete lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions
- Unfreezing of Iranian assets abroad
- Full compensation for damages suffered during the war
- Removal of all US combat forces from Middle East bases
- Iran’s commitment not to seek nuclear weapons
The Supreme National Security Council has described Iran’s acceptance of this framework by Washington as a “historic victory” for the Islamic Republic . If accurate, this would represent a significant diplomatic achievement for Tehran .
The Talks: ‘Make or Break’
As both sides continue to claim momentum, the Islamabad talks proceed at the heavily fortified Serena Hotel. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the current moment as a “make or break” juncture .
| Delegation | Lead Representative |
|---|---|
| United States | Vice President JD Vance |
| Iran | Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf |
| Mediator | Pakistan (Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif) |
The negotiations are expected to continue over multiple days, with both sides attempting to translate their perceived leverage into concrete outcomes. The asset release issue remains contested—Iran claims the US has agreed, while the White House denies any such agreement .
What Comes Next
As the Islamabad talks continue, several key questions will determine whether Iran’s claimed “upper hand” translates into diplomatic success:
| Question | Significance |
|---|---|
| Will the US accept Iran’s 10-point framework? | Central to Iran’s victory narrative |
| Will frozen assets be released? | Key Iranian precondition |
| Will Lebanon be included in any ceasefire? | Iran’s stated demand |
| Can the US deliver Israeli restraint? | Critical for Lebanon ceasefire |
| What will happen to Iran’s nuclear program? | Core US concern |
The coming days will reveal whether Iran’s claim of the “upper hand” is reflected in the final agreement—or whether the United States can turn its military superiority into diplomatic victory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister say about the negotiations?
Majid Takht-Ravanchi declared that Iran has the “upper hand” in negotiations with the United States, claiming that “Americans have not achieved their strategic goals and have suffered major defeats so far” .
2. What evidence does Iran cite for having the “upper hand”?
Iran points to its continued control of the Strait of Hormuz, the operational status of its proxy forces (Hezbollah, Houthis), the preservation of its nuclear program, and its ability to negotiate from what it calls a “position of strength” .
3. How does this compare to President Trump’s claims?
Trump has declared that the United States has “completely destroyed Iran’s Military” and that Iran’s “Leadership is DEAD!” The two narratives are directly contradictory, reflecting the strategic stalemate .
4. What is Iran’s 10-point peace proposal?
Iran’s framework includes demands for a cessation of aggression on all fronts (including Lebanon), Iranian coordination of the Strait of Hormuz, complete sanctions relief, release of frozen assets, US military withdrawal from the Middle East, war reparations, and a commitment not to seek nuclear weapons .
5. Has the US accepted Iran’s 10-point framework?
Iran claims that the United States has accepted the framework as the “workable basis” for negotiations. The US has not officially confirmed this, though the talks are proceeding .
6. What is the status of the Islamabad talks?
The negotiations are ongoing at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, with Vice President JD Vance leading the US delegation and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf leading the Iranian delegation .
7. Has the US agreed to release frozen Iranian assets?
Iran claims that the US has agreed to release frozen assets as part of the precondition for talks. The White House has denied that any such agreement has been reached .
Stay informed with Reflecto News – Your trusted source for breaking diplomatic and geopolitical intelligence. Subscribe for real-time updates from the Islamabad peace talks as both sides claim the upper hand.