Reopen Hormuz, postpone nuclear talks: Iran fresh proposals to US

Iran has conveyed a fresh proposal to the United States through Pakistani mediators, prioritising reopening the Strait of Hormuz and bringing the ongoing war in West Asia to an end, while deferring contentious nuclear negotiations to a later stage, American news outlet Axios reported. The proposal comes amid stalled peace efforts, with US President Donald Trump saying Tehran could “call” Washington if it wants to negotiate, while reiterating that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons. Talks appeared to falter after Washington scrapped a planned visit by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, signalling dissatisfaction with Tehran’s earlier offer.
The United States has demanded that Iran suspend uranium enrichment for at least a decade and transfer its existing stockpile out of the country. However, according to the report, Iran’s Foreign Minister and chief negotiator Abbas Araghchi told mediators over the weekend that there is no consensus within the Iranian leadership on how to respond to these demands.
The two-stage plan conveyed via Pakistani mediators prioritises resolving the crisis over the Strait of Hormuz and ending the US blockade first. The new proposal suggests either extending the ceasefire for a prolonged period or agreeing to a permanent end to the war, with nuclear negotiations to begin only at a later stage, after the strait is reopened and the blockade lifted. Tehran has insisted that Washington first remove “obstacles” such as the maritime blockade before meaningful negotiations can begin. Its demands also include guarantees against renewed military action, compensation and a new legal framework governing the strait.