Iran has presented a 14-point plan to the United States, demanding that the ongoing conflict be resolved within 30 days, just hours after President Donald Trump stated he was reviewing a new proposal. The initiative, reported by Iran's state-linked media, seeks to end the war rather than extend the existing ceasefire.
Details of the Proposal
The proposal serves as a counter to the US nine-point plan and calls for the lifting of sanctions on Iran, the cessation of the naval blockade, the withdrawal of US forces from the region, and an end to all hostilities, including Israeli operations in Lebanon, according to the semi-official Nour News agency, which is closely tied to Iran's security organizations.
Iran transmitted its response through a Pakistani intermediary, as reported by the news agency. Pakistan has previously facilitated negotiations between Iran and the US, and Mr Trump rejected an earlier Iranian proposal earlier this week. However, discussions have persisted, and the fragile three-week ceasefire appears to be holding.
Diplomatic Moves
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al Busaidi, who oversaw previous rounds of talks between the US and Iran before the latest conflict. Meanwhile, President Trump expressed skepticism about the new proposal leading to a deal, despite reviewing it.
The US president also presented a new plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and natural gas trade. Iran's deputy parliament speaker, Ali Nikzad, reiterated on Sunday that Iran 'will not back down from our position on the Strait of Hormuz, and it will not return to its pre-war conditions.' Nikzad, who holds no decision-making power in parliament, made these remarks during a visit to port facilities on Larak Island, near the strait's narrowest point.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions
'The Strait of Hormuz belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran,' Nikzad stated, adding that the country is working to compensate businesses and property damaged during the war, and that Mr Trump's blockade plan is certain to fail. He reiterated Iran's position that any ships not associated with the US or Israel will be allowed to pass after paying a toll.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul demanded that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and renounce its nuclear weapons programme during a phone call with Araghchi on Sunday. 'I emphasised that Germany supports a negotiated solution,' Wadephul posted on X. 'As a close US ally, we share the same goal: Iran must completely and verifiably renounce nuclear weapons and immediately open the Strait of Hormuz, as also demanded by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.'
Economic Impact
The US has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran in any form, including digital assets, for safe passage. Iran effectively closed the strait by attacking and threatening ships after the US and Israel launched a war on February 28. Tehran later offered some ships safe passage via routes closer to its shore, charging fees at times. The US responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports since April 13, depriving Tehran of oil revenue.
On Sunday, the Iranian rial weakened further against the US dollar, trading at 1,840,000 rials in Tehran's Ferdowsi Street currency exchange hub. Analysts predict further depreciation in the coming days. The rial was at 1.3 million to the dollar in December, a record low at the time, triggering widespread protests over the economy. Markets in Tehran remain unstable, with prices of some goods rising daily. Reports in Iranian media indicate that several factories have not renewed worker contracts after the Iranian New Year holidays, leading to significant job losses.
Yousef Pezeshkian, son and adviser of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, wrote on Telegram that both the US and Iran see themselves as winners of the war and are unwilling to back down.
Human Rights Concerns
The Norwegian Nobel Committee urged Iran to immediately transfer jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi for medical treatment in Tehran, as her health has sharply deteriorated. The committee stated it is in contact with Mohammadi's family and lawyer, and that the 2023 prize winner's life remains at risk without treatment by her dedicated medical team. Mohammadi fainted twice in prison on Friday in Zanjan and was admitted to a local hospital. Her lawyers believe she suffered a heart attack in late March. 'Narges Mohammadi is imprisoned solely for her peaceful human rights work. Her life is now in the hands of the Iranian authorities,' said Nobel committee chairman Jorgen Watne Frydnes. Mohammadi, 53, a rights lawyer, was arrested in December during a visit to Mashhad and sentenced to seven more years in prison.
