Iran has proposed a deal to the US regarding the Strait of Hormuz without immediate nuclear talks
Iran, through Pakistan’s mediation, has submitted a new proposal to the United States aimed at reaching an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war. According to sources, the document provides for postponing negotiations on the nuclear programme to a later stage, Axios reports.
The initiative aims to break the current deadlock in the negotiations and takes into account internal divisions within the Iranian leadership regarding the extent of possible concessions in the nuclear sphere.
At the same time, this approach means that reaching an agreement on the strait and lifting the blockade could deprive US President Donald Trump of leverage over Iran regarding the abandonment of enriched uranium stocks and the cessation of enrichment for an extended period.
According to US officials, these issues remain key US objectives in the war against Iran.
Donald Trump is expected to hold a meeting on Iran with his national security and foreign policy team. The meeting is set to discuss the state of negotiations and possible next steps.
In a Sunday interview, Trump stated that he intends to continue the naval blockade, hoping that this will force Iran to make concessions in the coming weeks. He also reiterated that Iran’s infrastructure could be at risk due to restrictions on oil exports.
Negotiations between the US and Iran intensified at the end of the week following a visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Pakistan, which ended without results. Donald Trump announced that, due to Iran’s stance, he had cancelled the trip of his representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad.
Araghchi held talks with Omani officials in Muscat regarding the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, after which he returned to Islamabad to continue consultations. He is expected to travel to Moscow for a meeting with Vladimir Putin.
During the talks in Pakistan, the Iranian side presented a new proposal designed to circumvent disagreements over the nuclear programme. According to sources, Tehran informed mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar of a lack of unity within the leadership regarding US demands.
Under the proposal, the parties must first resolve the issues of the Strait of Hormuz and the blockade. This could involve a prolonged extension of the ceasefire or the conclusion of a final agreement to end the war. Only then is a return to nuclear talks planned.
Pakistan has forwarded the proposal to the White House. It is not yet known whether the US is prepared to consider it.
The White House has stated that the negotiations are confidential and are not being conducted through the media. Administration spokesperson Olivia Wales emphasised that the US will only conclude an agreement that serves the country’s interests and prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Representatives of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and military authorities declined to comment.
