Iran submitted its response to the latest US proposal to Pakistani mediators, who then conveyed it to representatives of the Trump administration. Tehran’s official news agency IRNA reported on Sunday that Iran’s response to the latest US proposal during ceasefire negotiations has been submitted to Pakistani mediators. According to the Iranian outlet, the negotiations are centered on “ending the war in the region.”
On Sunday night, Arab media outlets reported new details concerning Iran’s response. Diplomatic and Iranian sources cited by Arabic-language media indicate that Tehran’s response prioritizes a ceasefire in Lebanon and the lifting of restrictions on Iranian oil exports as central to any future agreement with Washington. A diplomatic source speaking to the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen stated that the Iranian proposal demands an end to what Tehran terms the “siege” on the country and calls for unrestricted Iranian oil exports. The source further added that a ceasefire in Lebanon is considered one of Iran’s “red lines” in the negotiations.
The proposal reportedly also includes demands for the removal of American sanctions, the unfreezing of Iranian assets held abroad, and discussions concerning Iranian influence and navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz. The report states that Tehran additionally proposed a 30-day negotiating period following the conclusion of the current regional conflict to finalize the details of a broader agreement.
Separately, an official Iranian source informed Al Jazeera that Tehran’s response to the US initiative was delivered in a “positive and realistic manner,” underscoring Iran’s aim for an end to the war “across the region, especially in Lebanon,” alongside a resolution of disputes with Washington. The Iranian official stated that the response encompasses negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, and the “complete removal” of sanctions. Tehran is also reportedly demanding a “clear and guaranteed mechanism” for lifting all sanctions, along with international guarantees to ensure the implementation of any agreement signed with the United States.
“A positive response from Washington to our proposal would rapidly advance negotiations,” the official told Al Jazeera, adding that “the choice is now in Washington’s hands.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran’s response does not meet US demands regarding its nuclear program and enriched uranium. Iran proposed diluting its enriched uranium stockpile and transferring a portion of it to a third country other than the United States. Iran also demands the return of the enriched uranium to its possession should the talks fail or if the United States withdraws from the agreement at a later stage. Iran agreed to halt uranium enrichment, but for a period shorter than 20 years, and refused to dismantle its nuclear facilities. The WSJ also reported that nuclear issues would be negotiated between the US and Iran over the next 30 days.
Tehran’s response follows US President Donald Trump’s statement to Fox News on Wednesday that Iran had one week to respond to Washington’s proposed peace deal. “They want to make a deal. We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, later adding, “it’ll be over quickly.” An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson told CNBC later on Wednesday that the proposal was currently under “evaluation.”
Last Sunday, Trump stated that he had reviewed Iran’s latest peace proposal and found it “not acceptable,” while Al Jazeera reported that Iran has a 14-point plan for the ceasefire negotiations. Iran’s 14-point peace plan includes lifting sanctions and blockade. The plan comprises three main stages, including a 30-day phase aimed at transforming a ceasefire into a complete end to the war. It was presented as a rebuttal to the US’s nine-point peace plan. The Iranian draft reportedly calls for the US to lift sanctions on Iran, end its blockade on Iranian ports, withdraw US forces from the region, and cease all hostilities, including Israel’s war in Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported at the time.
Danya Saperstein and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
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