Iran has presented the U.S. with a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the conflict, deferring nuclear negotiations, Axios reported Monday.
Iran’s New Proposal
Iran has offered the United States a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the ongoing conflict, while postponing nuclear negotiations to a later date, according to Axios, which cites two sources with knowledge of the matter.
Pakistani Mediation
Sources indicated that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragczi presented the proposal during talks in Islamabad, facilitated by Pakistani mediators.
Diplomatic Impasse and Internal Divisions
The report highlights a stalled diplomatic process and divisions within the Iranian leadership regarding potential concessions on its nuclear program. “The Iranian proposal would bypass this issue, allowing for a faster agreement,” the article states.
US Demands and Iranian Disagreement
One source revealed that Aragczi informed mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar over the weekend that there is no consensus within the Iranian leadership on how to respond to U.S. demands. The U.S. seeks a minimum 10-year suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment program and the removal of enriched uranium from the country.
“First Hormuz, Then the Rest”
The new proposal prioritizes resolving the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. naval blockade. It would involve agreeing to a long-term ceasefire or a permanent end to the war.
Phased Negotiations
Under the proposal, nuclear negotiations would commence only at a later stage, following the opening of Hormuz and the lifting of the naval blockade. The U.S. has received the proposal, but it is unclear whether it will be considered.
White House Response
“These are confidential diplomatic conversations, and the United States does not negotiate through the press. As the President has said, the U.S. holds the cards and will only enter into an agreement that prioritizes the interests of Americans. We will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Axios.
Impact on US Leverage
Axios notes that lifting the blockade of the Strait and ending the war would remove leverage from former President Trump during future talks regarding the removal of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles and the suspension of further enrichment—two key U.S. objectives. A ceasefire has been in effect since April 8 in the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict.
Edited by
Kamila Cieślik
