Nicolai Haugsted
The latest terms have been changed from Iran’s previous offer.
Diplomats across the Middle East are scrambling to keep a fragile ceasefire alive while negotiators quietly pass proposals between Tehran and Washington through regional backchannels.
Iran’s latest offer to the United States now includes demands stretching far beyond nuclear policy, reaching into Lebanon, sanctions, military deployments and control of one of the world’s most important oil routes.
Iran demands broad concessions
Tehran confirmed Tuesday that its newest peace proposal calls for an end to military operations across the region, including Israeli operations linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iranian officials are also demanding the removal of American forces from areas close to Iranian territory, compensation for damage caused during the recent war and the lifting of major sanctions.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the proposal additionally seeks the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to the American maritime blockade currently affecting the country.
Iranian state media suggested the overall framework remains similar to a previous offer rejected by Donald Trump only days earlier.
Trump pauses military escalation
Trump confirmed Monday that he had halted a planned military operation against Iran after receiving Tehran’s latest proposal through diplomatic intermediaries.
“There seems to be a very good chance that they can work something out. If we can do that without bombing the hell out of them, I would be very happy,” Trump told reporters later Monday.
American officials have not confirmed details regarding the proposed attack, though Trump previously warned Iran that military action would resume if negotiations collapsed.
Pressure surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has meanwhile intensified efforts to avoid renewed conflict.
Roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments normally pass through the waterway, which Iran has heavily disrupted during the war.
Gulf leaders push for diplomacy
Trump also revealed that leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates urged him to delay military action while negotiations continue.
“A deal will be made which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all countries in the Middle East and beyond,” Trump wrote in a social media statement discussing the diplomatic efforts.
Pakistan continues playing a major role behind the scenes after previously hosting talks between the two sides.
Sources familiar with the negotiations nevertheless described the discussions as unstable and increasingly difficult.
According to one Pakistani source, both sides “keep changing their goalposts” while time pressure continues mounting.
Mixed signals from Washington
Iranian officials hinted Monday that Washington may have softened parts of its earlier negotiating position.
Sources close to Tehran claimed the United States could allow limited peaceful nuclear activity under international supervision and release part of Iran’s frozen financial assets held abroad.
American officials have not publicly confirmed any concessions.
Washington also denied reports suggesting oil sanctions on Iran would be suspended during negotiations.
Ceasefire remains fragile
Military tensions across the region remain extremely high despite the ceasefire reached earlier this year.
Thousands of people were killed during weeks of American and Israeli strikes against Iran, while fighting connected to Hezbollah operations in Lebanon displaced large civilian populations across the region.
Drone launches targeting Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have continued in recent days despite the truce.
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously stated that the war aimed to weaken Iran’s regional influence, reduce missile capabilities and dismantle Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iran’s leadership, however, remains firmly in power despite months of conflict, sanctions and domestic unrest.
