Iran offers US new deal to reopen Hormuz: Report
What's the story
Iran has proposed a new deal to the United States, offering to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end ongoing hostilities, Axios reported. The proposal, however, suggests postponing nuclear negotiations for a later stage. This development comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts and internal divisions within Iranian leadership over potential nuclear concessions. The proposed deal seeks to circumvent these issues in pursuit of a quicker resolution.
Proposal details
Proposal communicated through Pakistani mediators
The Iranian proposal, communicated through Pakistani mediators, aims to resolve the Strait of Hormuz crisis and lift the US blockade before starting nuclear negotiations. The Lebanese pan-Arabist satellite news television channel Al Mayadeen reported that Iran has informed mediators of a proposed three-phase framework for negotiations, saying talks could resume if the United States agrees to the plan. The proposal outlines an initial phase aimed at halting US-Israeli aggression and ensuring that fighting against Iran and Lebanon does not resume.
Stages
1st 2 phases must be agreed upon for 3rd phase
During this stage, Iran would not discuss any other concerns, the report said. If agreement is obtained in the first phase, discussions will shift to a second stage focused on Strait of Hormuz management. The plan apparently calls for coordination with Oman to build a new legal framework for the waterway. The third phase would address Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran would only be willing to discuss if the first two phases were agreed upon.
Meeting planned
Trump to convene Situation Room meeting
US President Donald Trump is expected to hold a Situation Room meeting on Monday with his top national security and foreign policy team. The meeting will focus on the stalemate in negotiations with Iran and potential next steps. Trump has indicated he wants to continue the naval blockade affecting Iran's oil exports, hoping it will pressure Tehran in the coming weeks.
Diplomatic talks
Iranian foreign minister in Pakistan twice
The crisis in US-Iran discussions intensified over the weekend, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's travel to Pakistan yielding no results. The White House had indicated that Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would meet with Araghchi in Islamabad, but the Iranians refused to commit. Trump told Axios that the Iranian attitude prompted him to cancel the trip. Araghchi returned to Pakistan again on Sunday before heading to Moscow.