Iran Submits Updated Proposal Amid Potential Resumption of Talks with the U.S.

Iran announced on Thursday that it has submitted a revised proposal and received a response from the United States regarding a potential agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing military conflict. Reports indicate that direct talks may resume as early as next week.

According to the emirate newspaper The National, which cited “Arab sources,” Iran and the U.S. are cooperating with the Pakistani government as a mediator to outline the agenda for upcoming negotiations.

Operation Epic Fury, initiated by President Trump’s administration in February, seeks to diminish Iran’s threats to neighboring countries and primarily focuses on dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, which the U.S. deems illegal. On the other hand, Iran aims to lift all U.S. sanctions, particularly those affecting its oil industry, while also demanding reparations for military assets destroyed by American forces. Iran is recognized as the largest state sponsor of terrorism, providing support to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

The hostilities that emerged in February are currently in a state of indefinite “ceasefire,” declared by President Trump following a U.S.-Israeli operation that resulted in numerous casualties among Iranian officials, including “Supreme Leader” Ali Khamenei. In April, however, Trump halted direct negotiations, expressing concerns about the fragmented nature of the Iranian regime, which he felt made discussions unfeasible.

“We have all the cards. They can call us anytime, but we’re not going to do another 18-hour flight just to sit around and not talk,” Trump reportedly communicated to his negotiators.

Recent reports suggest that the possibility of direct negotiations is emerging once more. The sources in The National mentioned that Iran and the U.S. are close to establishing a productive “negotiating agenda.”

“They aren’t drafting an agreement but are outlining a negotiating path that could lead to a comprehensive deal,” an anonymous official shared. “Some encouraging signs are already noticeable.”

Interestingly, Iran appears more open to discussing its nuclear program now. Although Iranian officials maintain that they are focused on developing civilian nuclear energy, they have consistently resisted thorough inspections from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has found uranium enrichment levels incompatible with non-military uses. Trump has consistently stated that he opposes any agreement that would allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons and will not back a peace deal that overlooks this issue.

Reports indicate that Iran has signaled its willingness to suspend its nuclear pursuits for up to 12 years, though under unspecified conditions, while the U.S. desires to see this suspension extend for at least 20 years.

Esamail Bakaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed that negotiations mediated by Pakistan were ongoing as of Wednesday evening. He mentioned that Iran presented a new 14-point proposal to the U.S., to which the U.S. had responded formally, outlining its stance.

A Kurdish news outlet, Rudaw, reported that Bakaei emphasized the Iranian government’s aim is to end the war “on all fronts,” including in Lebanon, especially in light of recent Israeli incursions following the start of Operation Epic Fury.

Furthermore, Iran’s Tasnim news agency claimed that a new proposal had indeed been sent to Washington through Islamabad. This report mentioned that Iran is demanding reparations for military assets lost due to U.S. military actions, although it notably did not touch on the nuclear issue and included anonymous sources asserting that Iran would not accept limits on its uranium enrichment rights.

On Thursday, the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was in Tehran to discuss the situation with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has been negotiating in the absence of strong leadership in Iran. Naqvi also had meetings with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshikian, who has ties to the previous Supreme Leader, Khamenei. The younger Khamenei has not made public appearances following his father’s removal, with his communications limited to written statements.

According to Iranian sources mentioned in reports, the new Ayatollah Khamenei is said to have instructed that enriched uranium must remain within the country. An anonymous source noted, “The Supreme Leader’s directive and the consensus within the regime is that enriched uranium stockpiles should not be taken out of the country.”