Iran Proposes 30-Day Framework to End War as Trump Hints at Renewed Airstrikes

U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had yet to review the exact wording of a new Iranian peace proposal but he was unlikely to accept it, because the Iranians had not yet “paid a big enough price”.

Trump’s remarks on social media concluded a day in which he publicly mused about the possibility of restarting airstrikes, the latest mixed signal as he seeks to end the war he launched more than two months ago.

Iran’s latest proposal to the United States calls for issues between the two countries to be resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire, according to Iran’s state-linked media.

The 14-point proposal, which is a rebuttal to the U.S. nine-point plan, calls for an end to the war, rather than just an extension of the truce, lifting sanctions on Iran, ending the naval blockade, withdrawing forces from the region, and ceasing all hostilities, including the Zionist forces’ operations in Lebanon, according to the semi-official Nour News agency.

Iran sent its reply via a Pakistani intermediary, the news agency reported. Pakistan has hosted previous negotiations between Iran and the United States.

Pakistan’s prime minister, foreign minister and army chief are continuing to push negotiations and encourage the U.S. and Iran to speak directly, according to two officials in Pakistan who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Reuters and other news organizations have reported over the past week that Tehran was proposing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before nuclear issues were resolved. A senior Iranian official confirmed that this new timeline had now been spelled out in a formal proposal conveyed to the United States through mediators.

Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential diplomacy, the senior Iranian official said Tehran believed its latest proposal to shelve nuclear talks for a later stage was a significant shift aimed at facilitating an agreement.

“Under this framework, negotiations over the more complicated nuclear issue have been moved to the final stage to create a more conducive atmosphere,” the official said.

Trump rejected a previous Iranian proposal this week. However, conversations have continued, and the fragile three-week ceasefire appears to be holding.

The Hormuz Chokepoint

Iran’s deputy parliament speaker said on Sunday that Iran “will not back down from our position on the Strait of Hormuz, and it will not return to its prewar conditions.” Ali Nikzad made the comments on a visit to port facilities on Iran’s strategic Larak Island, located close to the narrowest part of the strait.

“The Strait of Hormuz belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said, adding that the country was working to compensate businesses and property damaged during the war, and that Trump’s blockade plan was certain to fail.

Nikzad reiterated Iran’s position that any ships not associated with the U.S. or “Israel” will be able to pass after paying a toll. The U.S. has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran in any form, including digital assets, to pass safely.

Iran effectively closed the strait after the U.S. and “Israel” attacks on Feb. 28. Tehran later offered some ships safe passage via routes closer to its shore, charging fees at times.

The U.S. has responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports since April 13, depriving Tehran of oil revenue it needs to shore up its ailing economy.