Rabat – Donald Trump’s administration is reviewing a new proposal from Iran aimed at ending the ongoing war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The plan focuses on halting hostilities and restoring maritime traffic, while postponing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, an issue that remains a major sticking point for Washington.
Trump’s national security team discussed the proposal in a closed-door meeting, with little information released publicly. Officials say the US is reluctant to accept any deal that delays addressing Iran’s nuclear activities, which the administration views as central to any long-term agreement.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran is considering a US request to restart negotiations. Speaking during a visit to Russia, Araghchi said Iran is open to diplomacy but signaled that talks should move step-by-step, starting with ending the war and easing tensions in the region.
Araghchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg during the visit. Analysts say the visit is part of Iran’s effort to show it is not isolated internationally and still has strong allies backing its position.
Araghchi is leading a fast-moving diplomatic effort across Pakistan, Oman, and Russia to promote the Iranian proposal. Tehran is sharing the plan with regional and global actors to build support, with Pakistan acting as a key intermediary between Tehran and Washington.
The talks also involve broader discussions on regional security, maritime stability, and post-war arrangements, with several Gulf states and European countries being consulted. While Iran describes the initiative as a step-by-step path to de-escalation, the US has not confirmed the details and continues to insist that any deal must address Iran’s nuclear program directly.
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Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, which has disrupted global energy markets. The waterway typically handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, and its shutdown has raised fuel prices and concerns about shortages, especially in Asia.
Qatar has voiced strong opposition to using the strait as leverage in the war. Spokesperson for the country’s foreign ministry Majed al-Ansari said blocking navigation “cannot be justified” and warned against turning critical trade routes into political pressure tools.
Doha also expressed support for mediation efforts led by Pakistan, saying it prefers a focused negotiation process rather than expanding the number of parties involved.
Meanwhile, violence continues across multiple fronts. Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have triggered new waves of displacement, despite a ceasefire.
