Backchannel talks between the US and Iran are unlikely to lead to a breakthrough, according to Chinese analysts, who say the core conditions for a ceasefire were not met. President Trump claims the US had productive conversations, but the accounts are contradictory.

Backchannel talks between the United States and Iran are unlikely to result in a breakthrough, according to Chinese analysts, who said the core conditions for a ceasefire were unlikely to be met. On Monday, President Donald Trump said the US had held “productive” conversations with Iran despite his threats to “obliterate” the country’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane, was not reopened. However, the US and Iran have given conflicting accounts about peace talks, with...