Following six weeks of intense conflict in the Middle East triggered by joint United States-Israeli airstrikes, a fragile ceasefire is now holding across the region. Amid rising tensions and diplomatic uncertainty, Iran has reportedly sent a new peace proposal to Washington through Pakistan, which currently serves as the sole mediator between the two countries. According to officials familiar with the negotiations, several conditions in Tehran’s latest proposal remain similar to those previously rejected by the United States. However, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that Washington’s position appears to have softened on several key issues compared to earlier rounds of negotiations.
A diplomatic source in Islamabad confirmed that Pakistan has been facilitating indirect communication between Tehran and Washington since the only formal peace talks held last month, and recently delivered Iran’s latest message to the American side. Despite ongoing contacts, the source admitted that progress remains extremely difficult as both sides continue shifting their strategic objectives and demands, while time is rapidly running out.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that Tehran had transmitted its message through Pakistan but declined to provide further details. Washington has not yet issued an official response. Iranian sources claim that much of the new proposal resembles the one previously dismissed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly described it as “garbage.”
The revised proposal prioritizes three major issues: a permanent end to hostilities, reopening the strategically vital Hormuz Strait, and lifting maritime restrictions imposed during the conflict. Tehran has proposed postponing discussions on highly sensitive matters such as uranium enrichment and its nuclear program until later stages of negotiations.
According to Iranian officials, Washington has shown limited flexibility by agreeing in principle to release roughly one-quarter of Iran’s frozen overseas assets, estimated at around 10 billion dollars, although Tehran continues demanding the full amount. The United States has also reportedly shown some willingness to allow limited and peaceful nuclear activities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Meanwhile, Tasnim News Agency reported that the U.S. administration may temporarily ease restrictions on Iranian oil exports during ongoing negotiations, although Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed the report.
The ceasefire established after American and Israeli airstrikes remains highly unstable. Negotiations mediated by Pakistan appear largely stalled, while Donald Trump recently warned that the ceasefire is currently “on life support.”
Washington has repeatedly insisted that Iran must fully halt its nuclear program and restore unrestricted international shipping through the Hormuz Strait, a route responsible for transporting nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. In contrast, Tehran demands compensation for wartime damages, removal of sanctions on Iranian ports, and a complete cessation of hostilities across all fronts, including Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Amid the growing deadlock, Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iran last week through his social platform Truth Social, stating that time is running out and Tehran must make a decision “very quickly” or risk losing everything. American outlet Axios reported that Trump is expected to meet senior national security advisers on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of renewed military operations.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei declared during a televised briefing that Tehran is fully prepared for any scenario and warned that Iran knows exactly how to respond decisively to even the slightest mistake by its adversaries.
Source: Reuters.
Iran’s new proposal, Washington’s tone softens!
