Iran has put forward a fresh proposal for negotiations with the United States, raising cautious hopes of breaking the deadlock in efforts to end the ongoing war, according to officials and state media.
A Pakistani official involved in mediation said the proposal was received late Thursday and has since been passed on to Washington. No details of the plan have been disclosed, but the development briefly eased global oil prices, which remain elevated above $100 per barrel.
The move comes amid mounting pressure on both sides to find a diplomatic off-ramp, as the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global energy markets. The strategic waterway, which accounts for roughly a fifth of global oil and gas flows, remains blocked, fuelling fears of a wider economic downturn.
A fragile ceasefire has technically been in place since April 8, but tensions remain high. Reports that US President Donald Trump was considering new military strikes to force Iran back to the negotiating table recently pushed oil prices to a four-year high.
Iran has responded by activating its air defence systems, with senior officials warning that any new US attack—even a limited one—would trigger a broader and sustained retaliation across the region.
Washington has yet to outline its next steps. Trump has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with previous Iranian proposals, while no timeline has been set for renewed talks.
Regional concerns remain acute. A senior UAE official warned against trusting Tehran’s intentions in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that freedom of navigation must be guaranteed through international law rather than unilateral arrangements.
The conflict, which has already killed thousands—mainly in Iran and Lebanon—has seen repeated escalations. Following US and Israeli strikes in late February, Iran targeted US-linked assets in the Gulf, while Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes.
Trump also faces a legal deadline under the War Powers Resolution to either end the conflict or justify its continuation to Congress. However, US officials have suggested that the April ceasefire may be used to argue that active hostilities have already ceased.
Despite the diplomatic signals, uncertainty persists. Iranian officials have cautioned against expecting quick progress, while markets remain on edge over the risk of further escalation or a prolonged disruption to global energy supplies.
