Iran assesses the latest U.S. negotiation proposals, Pakistan exposed by Arab sources may strengthen mediation

Iranian media reports that Iran is discussing responses to the U.S. text; it is understood that while disagreements have narrowed, the nuclear issue remains the core obstacle. The Pakistani Army Chief is reportedly considering traveling to Tehran for consultations to bridge differences and facilitate an official announcement of the agreement.
On Thursday, May 21, amid six weeks of fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire and stalled negotiations, Pakistan is fully accelerating diplomatic efforts to push both sides to restart peace talks. Iran is reviewing the latest U.S. response, while U.S. President Trump has explicitly stated he is willing to wait a few days for Iran to give a satisfactory reply, but if not, he will not hesitate to resume military strikes.

Since the temporary ceasefire agreement took effect in early April, U.S.-Iran talks have progressed slowly, with core disagreements remaining unresolved. Ongoing military standoffs have impacted global energy markets, with international oil prices remaining high, and inflation pressures in many countries sharply increasing, ultimately hindering global economic recovery.

The Trump administration is facing severe domestic pressure. With midterm elections approaching in November, soaring fuel prices have directly lowered approval ratings to their lowest since Trump returned to the White House, forcing the White House to seek breakthroughs diplomatically. Meanwhile, Iran, despite military strikes and sanctions pressure, has not lost its core strength, and the stalemate on the battlefield remains difficult to break.

In this context, Pakistan has become a key mediator. According to three sources familiar with the negotiations speaking to Reuters, Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir is expected to decide on Thursday whether to go to Tehran to advance mediation efforts. The Pakistani Interior Minister has already arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to hold consultations.

Sources say Pakistan is working to open communication channels within Iran and accelerate information exchange between the sides. “Trump’s patience is running out, which is concerning. We are doing our best to speed up the message passing between both sides.” Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency also reported that Munir will visit Tehran on Thursday for consultations.

Additionally, according to Al Jazeera, Pakistani sources say the Army Chief is still in Pakistan; whether he visits Iran depends on the outcome of the Interior Minister’s visit. Iranian officials have asked Pakistan for a grace period to evaluate and study the negotiation conditions set by the U.S.

Iran assesses the latest U.S. negotiation proposals

On Thursday, Iran’s Student News Agency reported that Iran is responding to a text sent by the U.S. The Iranian response is under discussion in Tehran, involving the overall framework, some details, and confidence-building measures.

It is understood that Iran believes the U.S. text has narrowed disagreements to some extent, but further narrowing requires Washington to end its obsession with war. The Pakistani Army Chief’s visit to Tehran today aims to bridge differences and promote the official announcement of an agreement.

Iran’s Student News Agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying that the latest communication is based on a 14-point plan Iran proposed several weeks ago.

The core idea of this plan is to proceed in phases: first reaching a short-term arrangement, with Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. lifting the blockade on Iranian ports; then launching further negotiations around Iran’s nuclear program.

It is understood that the main disagreements still focus on the nuclear issue. The U.S. demands Iran surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and promise to halt uranium enrichment activities for at least ten years, citing concerns that these materials could be used to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has explicitly rejected these demands.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on X (Twitter) on Wednesday, stating, “Trying to force Iran to surrender through coercion is complete delusion,” emphasizing that Iran will not concede under pressure.

The Lebanon front also remains a sticking point in negotiations. Israel is fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, a conflict that originated from Israeli and U.S. coordinated strikes against Iran in late February. Israel refuses to withdraw, making the ceasefire arrangement extremely fragile. Currently, Israel and Hezbollah continue their daily attacks.

According to Axios, citing anonymous sources, tensions were high during a Tuesday call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu over Iran’s new peace proposal, but specific details were not disclosed. Netanyahu has previously publicly stated he does not believe Iran will abide by any agreement and hinted that military action against Iran could still be on the table.

Shortly before this report, Trump told the media that Netanyahu “will do whatever I tell him to do” regarding Iran.

Trump’s last-ditch warning and Iran’s firm response

On Wednesday, Trump sent a tough signal to reporters at Andrews Air Force Base, saying the window for negotiations is shrinking to “a few days.” “Believe me, if I don’t get a satisfactory response, everything will deteriorate quickly. We are fully prepared,” he said directly when asked about the deadline, “It could be a few days, or we could act immediately.”

Trump reiterated his bottom line of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, stating, “Iran’s issue has reached the final stage—either we reach an agreement, or we will take strong measures, and I hope it won’t come to that.” He has repeatedly stated that he will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, which remains a core goal of the U.S. for war.

Iran does not back down. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard issued a statement warning that if the U.S. launches another attack, “the flames of war will spread beyond the Middle East.” Iran has submitted its latest negotiation plan to the U.S. this week, with core terms closely aligned with demands previously rejected by Trump, including control of the Strait of Hormuz, war reparations, sanctions relief, asset unfreezing, and U.S. military withdrawal. The main disagreements remain sharp.

Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, and traffic flow is slowly recovering

As the global energy lifeline, the Strait of Hormuz previously handled about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict, it has been nearly closed, causing the most severe global energy supply crisis in history.

On Wednesday, Iran published a map of the “maritime control zone” in the strait, stating that all passing ships must apply for permission from Iranian authorities, and that only friendly countries complying with the terms will be allowed passage, possibly even charging tolls. This move was explicitly opposed by the U.S.

Shipping data shows that traffic through the strait is gradually increasing. On the 20th, two supertankers carrying about 4 million barrels of crude oil successfully passed through; a South Korean oil tanker carrying 2 million barrels of Kuwaiti crude also completed transit under Iranian coordination.

According to Lloyd’s List, a UK shipping publication, at least 54 ships crossed the strait last week, doubling the previous week; on Wednesday, Iran’s official reports indicated 26 ships had transited in the past 24 hours, still far below the pre-war daily level of 125 to 140 ships.

Key points:
- Six weeks after U.S.-Iran ceasefire, negotiations stalled over nuclear and Lebanon issues.
- Pakistan accelerates diplomatic mediation; Army Chief may visit Iran to promote dialogue.
- Trump sets a few days deadline; if Iran does not respond satisfactorily, military strikes may resume; Iran firmly rejects and controls the Strait of Hormuz, traffic slowly recovers but remains well below pre-war levels, impacting global energy markets and economic recovery.

📌 Key points

Pakistan accelerates mediation in U.S.-Iran talks, Army Chief may visit Iran to bridge differences.
Trump gives Iran a few days to respond, or else resumes military strikes, insists on blocking Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, traffic is slowly increasing but still low, worsening global energy crisis.