Iran has handed the United States a new proposal aimed at ending the war, offering signs of compromise as Tehran seeks to revive negotiations amid growing economic pressure.
However, the two sides remain far apart on key issues, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program, according to people familiar with the matter.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Iran submitted a 14-point proposal to the United States via Pakistan on Friday. The proposal softens some of Tehran’s earlier conditions for resuming talks, but it still delays negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and does not include the missile issue.
The reported plan marks a shift from Iran’s previous position, under which Tehran had demanded an upfront end to the US blockade of Iranian ports before talks could begin.
Tehran softens blockade condition
Under the new proposal, Iran is no longer insisting that Washington first end the blockade before any negotiations take place.
Instead, Tehran is offering to discuss conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz at the same time as US guarantees to end attacks and unwind the blockade imposed on Iranian ports.
Also Read: Iran sends new proposal to US through Pakistan
This is being seen as a limited concession, but not enough to bridge the gap with Washington.
Nuclear issue pushed to later stage
The proposal also suggests that Iran’s nuclear program would be discussed at a later stage in exchange for US sanctions relief. However, Iran’s missile program remains outside the reported sequencing, leaving one of Washington’s major concerns unaddressed.
People familiar with the matter said the proposal contains signs of movement, but the two sides remain far apart on the core issues of Hormuz access and the nuclear file.
Talks could be held in Pakistan
Iran has indicated to mediators that it is ready to sit down for talks in Pakistan by early next week if Washington is open to the new proposal.
Pakistan has played a key mediation role in the exchanges, with messages moving through Islamabad and, at times, through Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Also Read: White House declines to detail private talks over Iran proposal
Araghchi recently visited Pakistan twice as diplomatic efforts continued to prevent the conflict from escalating further.
Trump says ‘not satisfied’
Despite Iran’s limited concessions, US President Donald Trump said he was “not satisfied” with Tehran’s offer.
“They’re asking for things that I can’t agree to,” Trump said.
He said US officials spoke with the Iranians on Thursday about the proposal and suggested that Tehran may never agree to a negotiated settlement to end the war.
“They’ve made strides, but I’m not sure if they ever get there,” he added.
The United States has made clear that Iran must allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without preconditions. Iran, however, continues to link the reopening of the key waterway to guarantees that the United States will end attacks and lift the naval blockade.
An Iranian official said Tehran’s mistrust of Washington runs deep, adding that Iran “does not understand” why US officials did not attend the last round of talks in Pakistan.
Trump weighs military and diplomatic options
Trump also outlined what he described as the two options before him. “There are options,” he said. “Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever, or do we want to try and make a deal — those are the options.”
He added that, on a “human basis,” his preference is not to resume strikes.
Trump also confirmed that he was briefed overnight on military options by the commander of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper.
Araghchi says Tehran ready for diplomacy
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remains ready for diplomacy, but only if Washington changes its approach.
“Tehran is ready for diplomacy if the United States changes its excessive demands, threatening rhetoric and provocative actions,” he said.
Araghchi also warned that Iranian forces are “fully alert and prepared to decisively defend the Iranian nation against any threat.”
Also Read: Trump says Iran proposals not satisfactory as talks continue
According to Axios, Admiral Brad Cooper briefed Trump for about an hour on new operational plans for strikes inside Iran.
An earlier report said US Central Command had prepared a plan for a “short and powerful” wave of strikes against Iran, likely including infrastructure targets.
The goal of such strikes would be to break the deadlock in negotiations and pressure Tehran into showing more flexibility on the nuclear issue.
US also considers Strait of Hormuz operation
CENTCOM has also prepared a plan to take control of part of the Strait of Hormuz in order to reopen it to commercial shipping.
Such an operation could involve ground forces, according to the report.
Another option previously discussed, and possibly raised during the briefing, is a special forces operation to extract about 450 kilograms, or 992 pounds, of uranium enriched to 60% that is held by Iran.
Since declaring a ceasefire on April 7, Trump has not appeared eager to restart the war. Although he previously threatened to destroy Iranian civilization, he has repeatedly chosen diplomacy over renewed strikes.
Still, Washington is seeking to increase economic pressure on Iran’s government in order to force Tehran to accept Trump’s central demand: dismantling its nuclear program.
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