An order by Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, for the immediate departure of the Islamic Republic delegation from the United States was issued at a time when Washington sees itself in a stronger negotiating position and Qatar’s mediation has also reached a deadlock.

Axios reported that after the failure of the talks, Rubio issued an order for the departure of Abbas Iraqi’s delegation, the Islamic Republic’s foreign minister. The outlet wrote that the United States believes the Islamic Republic no longer has effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, and that raising its reopening as an important concession in negotiations is no longer a strong bargaining point.

At the same time, The Wall Street Journal reported that oil flows in the region have been restored and that about 40% of exports are being carried out through routes other than Hormuz, while the Islamic Republic’s oil exports under pressure from the U.S. naval blockade have dropped to nearly zero.

Qatar continues to mediate between the two sides, but Axios wrote that, based on its own assessment of the balance of pressure, Washington has less incentive to accept Tehran’s conditions. In contrast, the reduced value of the Hormuz leverage could increase the risk of escalation by the Islamic Republic as it seeks to rebuild deterrence.

Read the full text on the Iran International website