Iran gave Washington a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war while putting nuclear negotiations off to a later stage, according to a U.S. official and two sources with knowledge of the talks. [1]
The proposal would sidestep the nuclear file in hopes of reaching a faster deal, even as the diplomacy remains stalled and Iranian leaders are divided over what concessions should be on the table. [1]
The latest push came after the crisis in U.S.-Iran talks deepened over the weekend. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan but left without progress, after the White House said Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would meet him in Islamabad. Iranian officials were noncommittal, and Trump said he canceled the trip because he saw no point in sending envoys on an 18-hour flight in the current situation. [1]
Araghchi held talks with Omani officials in Muscat on Sunday that focused on the Strait of Hormuz, then returned to Islamabad for a second round of talks, according to the sources. [1]
Trump signaled in a Fox News interview on Sunday that he wanted to continue the naval blockade on Iran. He also said, “I see no point of sending them on an 18-hour flight in the current situation. It's too long. We can do it just as well by telephone. The Iranians can call us if they want. We are not gonna travel just to sit there.” [1]
Trump was expected to hold a Situation Room meeting on Iran on Monday with his top national security and foreign policy team, according to three U.S. officials. Araghchi was also expected to travel to Moscow on Monday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. [1]