Pakistan has handed a revised Iranian proposal to the United States in hopes of reviving stalled negotiations to end the ongoing war in the Middle East, a Pakistani official said, adding that the parties “don’t have much time” to close differences.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei later said that Tehran’s views had been "conveyed to the American side through Pakistan," though he declined to offer further specifics about the content of the submission.
The update arrives against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire that followed six weeks of warfare triggered by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Mediation efforts led by Pakistan have made limited progress and officials involved in the process say talks have stalled.
The Pakistani official who disclosed the delivery of the revised text did not provide details of the proposal. When asked whether closing the remaining gaps would take time, the official said negotiating positions continued to shift - that the parties "keep changing their goalposts" - and reiterated the view that there was only a narrow window to reach agreement.
Sticking points and positions
Key issues impeding progress include Iran’s nuclear program and demands arising from the conflict. Washington and other major powers have insisted on measures to ensure Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons, a position Tehran denies it is pursuing. In parallel, the United States has sought the removal of an effective blockade on the Strait of Hormuz - a vital waterway that typically carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply - and for Iran to dismantle aspects of its nuclear capabilities.
From Tehran’s perspective, negotiators are pressing for compensation for wartime damage, an end to what it calls a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, and a halt to hostilities across all fronts, including in Lebanon where Israel is engaged with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. Iran has also demanded guarantees against future attacks and the restoration of its ability to resume oil sales.
Baghaei said Iran remained ready for all contingencies and warned that Tehran was prepared to respond forcefully to any mistake by opposing parties. "As for their threats, rest assured that we are fully aware of how to respond appropriately to even the smallest mistake from the opposing side," he said at a televised weekly briefing.
Security incidents and economic fallout
Although the ceasefire has reduced the intensity of hostilities since it took effect in April, regional tensions have persisted. Iranian-launched drones have targeted Gulf states that host U.S. military bases. One drone strike reportedly caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, while Saudi authorities said they intercepted three drones.
Earlier in the month, Iran escalated attacks on the UAE after a U.S. naval operation intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was announced and subsequently suspended after 48 hours.
Markets reacted to the latest round of drone attacks: global share indices slipped as oil prices and government bond yields rose, intensifying concerns about inflation. Analysts and officials cited the attacks as contributing to a broader energy supply shock by disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. That disruption has been described as triggering the largest oil supply crisis on record, with crude prices reported to have increased by 50% or more.
Political implications
U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly pushed Iran to move quickly, posting on social media that "the Clock is Ticking" and warning, "they better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!" He is expected to consult senior national security advisers soon to consider options for resuming military action.
With midterm elections looming in November, some U.S. officials are concerned that foreign policy developments and higher gasoline prices could affect domestic politics. There are worries among some in the White House that the foreign policy approach and its inflationary effects on fuel costs may undercut Republican prospects in congressional races, particularly as voters remain sensitive to the cost of living.
What happens next
Negotiations remain fragile and the terms of Iran's revised proposal have not been disclosed. The process faces multiple unresolved demands on both sides - nuclear constraints and de-blockading the Strait of Hormuz for the U.S. side, and compensation, guarantees against future attacks and resumption of oil sales for Iran. With shifting negotiating positions and a narrow timeframe, the outcome remains uncertain.
Summary provided above; further developments will depend on whether negotiators can narrow the gaps before the window to reach an agreement closes.