Iran announced on Thursday that the latest proposal from the United States has partially bridged the divide between the two nations as they work to transform a fragile ceasefire into a lasting peace agreement. The semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency reported that Tehran is currently reviewing a text submitted by the U.S., which “has narrowed the gaps to some extent.” The agency did not disclose its source for the information.
Iran's Response and Conditions
“Further narrowing requires an end to the temptation for war on Washington’s part,” the report stated, emphasizing that continued progress hinges on the U.S. refraining from aggressive posturing. The Iranian foreign ministry separately clarified that the exchange of messages is based on Iran’s 14-point text proposed several weeks ago. That plan outlines a short-term agreement where Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. would lift a blockade of Iranian ports, followed by deeper negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran has not specified when it will formally respond to the U.S. proposal. The foreign ministry reiterated demands for a commitment to end fighting “on all fronts, including Lebanon” and called for the unfreezing of sanctioned assets. Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir, the main mediator, is visiting Tehran on Thursday, according to ISNA.
Escalation Threats and Market Reactions
The diplomatic developments come amid renewed threats of escalation from both sides. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that the U.S. was in the “final stages” of Iranian diplomacy, sparking investor optimism that a deal was imminent. U.S. Treasury prices rose and oil prices fell in response. However, Trump then warned he might resume attacks in the coming days if Iran does not agree to his terms, a threat he has repeated since a ceasefire took effect on April 8. “We’ll either have a deal or we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty,” he said. “But hopefully that won’t happen.”
Key Sticking Points
The main obstacles include Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities and its stockpile of highly processed uranium. The U.S. demands that Tehran hand over the stockpile due to fears it could be used to build an atomic bomb, and commit to ending enrichment for at least a decade. Iranian leaders have publicly rejected these demands. Reuters reported on Thursday that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a directive prohibiting the export of near-weapons-grade uranium, citing two unnamed Iranian sources. Iran has consistently refused to ship the enriched uranium to the U.S., but has indicated it could move it to a third country. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently thanked Russia for offering to take the material, but cautioned that the idea is not currently under discussion.
