Iran Delivers New Negotiation Proposal to Pakistan as US-Iran Peace Efforts Intensify
Iran has submitted a fresh proposal for negotiations with the United States to Pakistani mediators, the official IRNA news agency reported Friday, marking a new diplomatic push to end the two-month conflict .
The text of the proposal was handed over to Islamabad on Thursday evening, according to Iranian state media. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking in a televised interview, emphasized that “ending the war and establishing a sustainable peace remain Tehran’s main priorities in negotiations with the United States” .
The development comes as the fragile ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan and in effect since April 8, continues to hold while underlying disputes remain unresolved .
📜 Background of the Conflict
The war began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders, and civilians. Iran retaliated with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets across the Middle East .
A ceasefire was achieved on April 8 through Pakistani mediation. The first round of peace talks was held in Islamabad on April 11-12, but ended without an agreement. Since then, diplomatic efforts have remained stalled despite the truce holding .
🔄 The Sticking Point: Nuclear Program Remains Central Disagreement
While details of the latest proposal have not been disclosed publicly, previous Iranian proposals have shared a common approach: prioritizing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and ending the blockade before discussing the nuclear program .
Key elements of Iran’s phased approach include :
- Phase 1: Reopen the Strait of Hormuz and implement a permanent ceasefire
- Phase 2: Lift the U.S. naval blockade
- Phase 3: Address nuclear negotiations only after the strait is reopened and restrictions are lifted
The United States, however, has consistently rejected this sequencing. President Trump has insisted that any agreement must address Iran’s nuclear program from the outset, demanding that Iran suspend uranium enrichment for 20 years and surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium — conditions Tehran has repeatedly refused to accept .
White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales reiterated the administration’s position, stating that “the president has made his ‘red lines’ clear to Tehran and the U.S. public” .
🛑 Hurdles to Progress
Several factors continue to impede diplomatic progress:
1. Mutual Distrust and Nuclear Program Stalemate
Iran has offered compromises that included a five-year suspension of uranium enrichment followed by five years of very low-grade civilian enrichment, with half of its nuclear stockpile kept at home under international inspection and the other half given to Russia. The U.S. rejected the offer outright, with Trump saying Iran’s proposal was “not good enough” .
Iranian analysts note that Tehran has twice attempted to negotiate its nuclear program with the Trump administration, including once last year, and on both occasions the U.S. proved belligerent, attacking before talks could conclude — a key reason Iran does not want nuclear issues bundled into ceasefire terms .
2. The Strait of Hormuz Blockade
The strategic waterway remains largely closed, cutting off approximately 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies. Iran has maintained its stranglehold on the strait, while the U.S. has imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports, creating a dual economic pressure cooker .
3. Internal U.S. Debate on Military Options
During an April 30 briefing, CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine reportedly presented President Trump with a 45-minute review of military operation plans against Iran. While a senior administration official maintained that “for War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28 have terminated,” oil prices spiked on reports that Trump was considering extending the blockade for months or authorizing a new wave of strikes .
🇵🇰 Pakistan’s Mediation Role
Pakistan has maintained “open channels of communications” with both the United States and Iran throughout the crisis, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi. Islamabad has continued to uphold “sustained interaction” with both Washington and Tehran in recent weeks, reflecting its commitment to “principled dialogue-oriented diplomacy” .
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed Wednesday that diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East are continuing “consistently” .
📊 Current Status of Negotiations
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Ceasefire | In effect (since April 8) |
| U.S. naval blockade | Ongoing |
| Strait of Hormuz | Largely closed |
| Nuclear negotiations | Stalled: US demands immediate resolution, Iran seeks phased approach |
| Latest proposal | Delivered by Iran to Pakistan (April 30) |
| Pakistan mediation | Active — channels open with both sides |
| US response | Pending — White House has not publicly responded |
🔮 Outlook
The submission of a fresh proposal indicates Iran’s continued willingness to engage diplomatically, though significant gaps remain between the two sides. The United States has not yet publicly responded to the latest offer.
Global energy markets remain on edge, with oil prices having risen sharply since the start of the conflict. Any breakthrough — or further escalation — would have immediate consequences for world energy supplies and prices .
Baghaei cautioned Thursday against expecting quick results from the talks, adding that while Tehran remains committed to negotiations, finding a resolution may require sustained diplomatic effort .
The war has killed thousands, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, and has caused widespread economic disruption. Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei stated Friday that “the Islamic Republic has never shied away from negotiations” while also affirming that “we certainly do not accept imposition” .
Follow Reflecto News for continuous updates on this developing story as the diplomatic process unfolds.