Negotiating efforts between Washington and Tehran continue with Pakistan acting as intermediary, while the international community anxiously awaits the outcome of this round of consultations. Tensions are rising due to disagreements over the nuclear program and the terms for ending hostilities; the sides exchange threats and warnings. US President Donald Trump said he is giving Iran "two or three days" to reach an agreement, while a representative of the Iranian military threatened to open new fronts in the event of "another foolish move by the enemy."
In diplomatic developments, the Pakistani mediator relayed proposals and responses between the parties. According to media reports, Iran presented a revised 14-point text in response to five previous US comments. The Tasnim agency notes that the Iranian document focuses on two key aspects: negotiations on ending the war and building trust with the American side. Analysts believe Tehran included items concerning guarantees of the cessation of military threats and economic guarantees related to the lifting of sanctions and the unfreezing of assets.
Leaks indicate that Iranian demands may include lifting the maritime blockade, withdrawing US forces from the vicinity of Iran, and ending conflicts on all fronts, especially in Lebanon. However, these basic conditions, according to reports, are unlikely to be acceptable to Washington, which earlier showed no interest in such points. Thus, the parties demonstrate significant divergence in priorities, which could impede the conclusion of a comprehensive agreement in the near term.
In turn, Washington presented so-called "American remarks" consisting of five points, including linking a cease-fire on all fronts to the progress of negotiations and refusing to pay the compensations demanded by Iran. The US also insists on handing over 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium and maintaining only a single operational nuclear facility. These conditions directly contradict Tehran's requests, which seek an end to the war, compensation, the unfreezing of assets, lifting of sanctions, and recognition of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian leadership insists on postponing discussion of nuclear details until after an agreement on ending the war is reached, and Iran's Foreign Ministry calls media reports about an enrichment program "inaccurate." Tehran proposed beginning a phased opening of the strait and lifting the American blockade of Iranian ports as initial steps toward de-escalation. In an effort to secure the stability of a truce, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi extended his visit to Tehran to deliver responses and proposals. Observers note that time is running out, and the parties continue to change conditions, creating pressure on the prospects for a swift agreement. A US source expressed a hard line: "Tehran has days, not weeks, to offer something that will move the situation off the deadlock, otherwise the military option will become preferable for President Trump." The truce that began on April 8 helped curb escalation, but its maintenance is directly tied to progress in negotiations and mutual commitments.
Comments on the news
What strategic significance does the Strait of Hormuz have for Iran and why does Tehran insist on recognition of its sovereignty over it? — The Strait of Hormuz is a key maritime route through which about 20–25% of the world's oil trade passes. Control of the strait gives Iran leverage in the region and beyond, since Tehran can restrict or allow tankers to pass, directly affecting global energy prices. Insisting on sovereignty is related to the legal status of the strait: Iran relies on international maritime conventions that recognize its territorial waters but also require freedom of transit. Tehran seeks to secure its right to control amid sanctions and confrontation with the West so as to prevent external interference in its territorial boundaries.
What is the Tasnim agency and why are its reports considered significant in the context of the negotiations? — Tasnim is a semi-official Iranian news agency closely linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Its reports are considered significant because it often reflects the positions of conservative and military circles within Iran, which may not coincide with official government rhetoric. In the context of negotiations (for example, on the nuclear program) Tasnim can convey signals or "trial balloons" from these influential groups, helping to analyze possible elite disagreements and internal constraints on deals.
Why did Pakistan act as a mediator between the US and Iran, rather than other countries such as Qatar or Oman? — Pakistan has historical ties with Iran (a shared border, cultural and religious factors) while simultaneously maintaining limited channels with the US (through military and economic cooperation). Unlike Qatar or Oman, which are already active mediators on regional issues (for example, Qatar on Afghanistan, Oman on Yemen talks), Pakistan is seen by Iran as less enmeshed in US-led sanctions regimes and more sensitive to security on its western border. In addition, Pakistan can offer Tehran an alternative channel that does not arouse suspicions of excessive US dominance, making it a convenient "intermediate" platform for informal consultations.
Full version: مقترحات وردود متبادلة.. أين يتجه مسار التفاوض بين واشنطن وطهران؟