Iran has proposed a new plan to the United States aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing tensions between the two countries, according to reports.
The proposal, conveyed through mediators in Pakistan, suggests extending the current ceasefire while both sides work towards a permanent end to the conflict. It also includes delaying nuclear negotiations until after the US lifts its blockade of the vital shipping route.
According to Financial news report, the news was first reported by Axios, citing a US official and sources familiar with the discussions.
A White House spokesperson, Olivia Wales, declined to comment directly on the proposal but said:
“These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the US will not negotiate through the press.”
She added: “As the President has said, the United States holds the cards and will only make a deal that puts the American people first, never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
US President Donald Trump is expected to meet national security and foreign policy advisers to discuss the development.
Speaking to reporters earlier, Mr Trump acknowledged receiving a revised proposal from Iran.
“Interestingly, immediately, when I cancelled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better,” he said.
However, he added that the offer was still insufficient:
“They offered a lot but not enough.”
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the crisis. The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most important oil routes, with roughly a fifth of global oil supply passing through it.
Since the conflict began on 28 February, shipping traffic through the strait has fallen sharply. Daily vessel movements have dropped from about 135 to near zero, as both Iran and the United States enforce blockades.
The disruption has raised concerns about global energy supplies, with the International Energy Agency describing it as one of the most significant supply shocks in history.
Despite a ceasefire largely holding since early April, efforts to restart peace talks stalled over the weekend. The US cancelled a planned diplomatic trip, while Iran insisted it would not negotiate under pressure.
