Iran Offers U.S. Deal to Reopen Strait, Delay Nuclear Talks
Iran has presented a new diplomatic proposal to the United States: reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the conflict now, but push nuclear negotiations to a later stage.
Iran has presented a new diplomatic proposal to the United States: reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the conflict now, but push nuclear negotiations to a later stage. The offer comes as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran have reached a critical stalemate, with Iranian leadership deeply divided over nuclear concessions.
The proposal represents a significant shift in negotiating strategy. Instead of addressing all issues simultaneously, Iran wants to separate the immediate crisis from the more contentious nuclear question. The approach carries substantial risks for President Trump's stated war objectives.
Why Does Iran's Diplomatic Proposal Matter?
The Iranian proposal would allow both nations to claim a quick diplomatic victory. The Strait of Hormuz would reopen, global oil markets would stabilize, and the immediate military crisis would de-escalate. For Iran, it means relief from the crushing naval blockade that has choked off its oil exports.
Lifting the blockade and ending the war would fundamentally alter the negotiating landscape. Trump has used economic pressure as his primary leverage to force Iran's hand on nuclear issues. Without that pressure, convincing Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment or remove its stockpile of enriched uranium becomes significantly harder.
The proposal reveals deep fractures within Iran's leadership. According to sources with knowledge of the negotiations, Iranian officials have reached no consensus about how to address U.S. demands for a decade-long suspension of uranium enrichment and removal of enriched uranium from the country.
President Trump is expected to hold a Situation Room meeting on Monday with his top national security and foreign policy team. Three U.S. officials confirmed the meeting will focus on the negotiating stalemate and potential next steps.
Trump signaled his current thinking in a Fox News interview on Sunday. He wants to maintain the naval blockade, believing Iran will capitulate within weeks. "When you have vast amounts of oil pouring through your system, if for any reason this line is closed because you can't put it into containers or ships, what happens is that line explodes from within," Trump said. "They say they only have about three days before that happens."
The White House has received Iran's proposal through Pakistani mediators but hasn't indicated whether it will seriously explore the option. White House spokesperson Olivia Wales emphasized the administration's firm stance: "The United States holds the cards and will only make a deal that puts the American people first, never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon."
The crisis in negotiations deepened considerably over the past few days. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi embarked on a diplomatic tour that highlighted the complexity of the situation.
Pakistan visit ends without progress: The White House had announced that Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would meet Araghchi in Islamabad, but the Iranians were noncommittal.
Trump cancels envoy trip: The president told Axios he saw no point in sending his team on an 18-hour flight given the current situation.
Oman discussions: Araghchi held talks with Omani officials in Muscat focused specifically on the Strait of Hormuz.
Return to Islamabad: The foreign minister went back to Pakistan for a second round of talks.
Moscow meeting scheduled: Araghchi was expected to travel to Russia on Monday to meet President Vladimir Putin.
Trump explained his decision to cancel the envoy trip bluntly: "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."
What Are Iran's Internal Divisions?
Araghchi raised the plan to bypass the nuclear issue during his meetings in Islamabad, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions. He made clear to Pakistani, Egyptian, Turkish and Qatari mediators that Iranian leadership lacks consensus on addressing U.S. demands.
This internal division explains why Iran is pushing for a two-stage approach. By solving the Strait of Hormuz crisis first, Iranian leaders buy time to resolve their internal disagreements about nuclear concessions.
The new proposal, delivered through Pakistani mediators, focuses on these immediate priorities:
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping
Lifting the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian oil exports
Extending the ceasefire for a long period or agreeing to a permanent end to hostilities
Postponing nuclear negotiations until after these steps are completed
What Are the Strategic Implications?
The proposal puts Trump in a difficult position. He campaigned on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and has made uranium enrichment a central war objective. Accepting Iran's proposal could deliver short-term wins but complicate long-term goals.
How Does the Leverage Problem Affect Negotiations?
Economic pressure has been Trump's most effective tool. The naval blockade has devastated Iran's economy by preventing oil exports. This pain has brought Tehran to the negotiating table.
If Trump lifts the blockade before securing nuclear concessions, he loses his primary means of compelling Iranian cooperation. Foreign policy experts note that Iran has historically been more willing to negotiate when facing severe economic pressure. The 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew from during his first term, came after years of crippling sanctions.
What Regional Dynamics Are at Play?
Araghchi's diplomatic tour reveals the complex web of regional interests. Pakistan, Oman, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar are all serving as mediators, each with their own stakes in the outcome. Russia's involvement, evidenced by the planned Putin meeting, adds another layer of geopolitical complexity.
These nations want to see the Strait of Hormuz crisis resolved quickly. The strait is a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, and its closure has disrupted energy markets worldwide. Regional powers have strong economic incentives to push both sides toward a deal.
What Happens Next?
Monday's Situation Room meeting will be crucial. Trump and his advisors must weigh several competing considerations.
Arguments for accepting the proposal:
Immediate end to military hostilities
Reopening of critical shipping lanes
Stabilization of global oil markets
Diplomatic victory to claim
Arguments against accepting:
Loss of primary leverage on nuclear issues
Risk that Iran never returns to nuclear negotiations
Failure to achieve stated war objectives
Potential criticism from hardliners
Trump's Fox News comments suggest he favors maintaining pressure. He appears to believe Iran is on the verge of collapse and that a few more weeks of blockade will force comprehensive concessions.
Could There Be a Middle Ground?
Some diplomats have suggested compromise positions. The U.S. could partially lift the blockade in exchange for preliminary nuclear steps, such as allowing international inspectors expanded access or freezing enrichment at current levels. This approach would maintain some leverage while demonstrating good faith.
Neither side has publicly indicated willingness to explore such middle-ground options. The negotiations appear increasingly polarized between all-or-nothing positions.
Why Does the Nuclear Question Remain Central?
Even if the immediate crisis resolves, the nuclear issue will resurface. Iran has steadily expanded its uranium enrichment program, moving closer to weapons-grade material. The U.S. wants Iran to suspend enrichment for at least a decade and remove existing stockpiles from the country.
Iran views its nuclear program as a sovereign right and a source of national pride. Hardliners in Tehran argue that surrendering the program would leave Iran vulnerable to future U.S. pressure. This fundamental disagreement has plagued negotiations for years.
The lack of consensus within Iranian leadership compounds the problem. Different factions support different approaches, from full cooperation with U.S. demands to complete refusal. Until Iran resolves these internal divisions, comprehensive nuclear negotiations will remain difficult.
High-Stakes Diplomacy at a Crossroads
Iran's proposal to separate the Strait of Hormuz crisis from nuclear negotiations represents a calculated gamble. Tehran hopes to secure immediate relief from economic pressure while buying time on the nuclear question. For Trump, accepting the deal would mean choosing between short-term wins and long-term strategic objectives.
Monday's Situation Room meeting will likely determine the trajectory of U.S.-Iran relations for months to come. Trump must decide whether to maintain maximum pressure in hopes of a comprehensive deal or accept incremental progress on immediate crises. Neither option guarantees success.
The coming days will reveal whether diplomatic creativity can break the stalemate or whether both sides remain too far apart to bridge the gap. With regional mediators working overtime and global oil markets watching nervously, the stakes could hardly be higher.
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