Iran sends reply to US war-ending proposal via Pakistan mediator
Al Jazeera Staff
Iran has formally responded to a US proposal to end the war, relaying its message through Pakistan as a mediator. Tehran demands unfrozen assets, lifted sanctions, and continued control of the Strait of Hormuz, while the US insists on nuclear concessions.
Iran has sent its reply to the latest US proposal aimed at ending the war through the mediating country of Pakistan, as the fragile ceasefire comes under mounting pressure.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told a press briefing on Monday that Tehran's response was conveyed to the US side through the Pakistani intermediary, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Washington and Tehran have exchanged several proposals in recent weeks amid a ceasefire that has largely halted six weeks of fighting. However, Pakistan-mediated negotiations have stalled, and US President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire is on "life support."
Baghaei said Iran's demands include the release of frozen assets abroad and the removal of sanctions. "The points raised are Iran's demands and have been firmly defended by the Iranian negotiating team in all rounds of talks," he said.
Iran also demands war reparations, an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports, and a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, where Israel has launched an invasion and continues daily airstrikes.
Meanwhile, Washington is pressing Tehran to dismantle its nuclear program and lift its de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which before the war carried one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply.
Trump wrote on Truth Social over the weekend that the clock is ticking for Iran and "they should move fast, otherwise nothing will be left of them. TIME IS MONEY!"
Iran's Fars news agency reported Sunday that Washington had put forward a five-point list stating the US will only halt military operations when Tehran enters formal peace talks. The list also demands Iran operate only one nuclear facility and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.
In an earlier proposal sent last week, Iran called for an end to war on all fronts, including Israel's campaign in Lebanon, as well as the lifting of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports that took effect on April 13.
Fars said Iran's proposal emphasized that Tehran would continue to manage the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy route that Iran has largely shut down since the war began. Fars also reported the US refused to release "even 25%" of Iran's frozen assets or pay any war reparations.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday he would urge G7 finance ministers to adhere to US sanctions to prevent financial flows to Iran's "war machine." According to Axios, Trump is expected to meet top national security advisers Tuesday to discuss options for continued military action.
Mohamad Elmasry, a professor of media studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, told Al Jazeera he believes the US will resume war with Iran within a day or two. He said Trump "has many different people in his ear," including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and "very hawkish" figures in his own administration.
Baghaei said Iran is "fully ready for any scenario" if the conflict reignites. "Regarding their threats, rest assured we fully know how to respond appropriately to even the smallest mistake from the other side," he stated at his weekly televised press conference.
