ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran is reviewing a US proposal aimed at ending the war and will respond through mediator Pakistan, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, according to Iranian media, as Donald Trump warned Washington could resume bombing if no deal is reached.
“The US plan and proposal are still under review by Iran,” Baghaei told Iran’s ISNA news agency, adding that Tehran will convey its position to the Pakistani side once the assessment is complete.
The United States and Iran are reportedly close to a one-page memorandum of understanding that could end hostilities and lay the groundwork for broader nuclear negotiations, Axios reported, citing US officials and sources familiar with the matter.
Trump said on Wednesday that if Iran “agrees to give what has been agreed to,” the US military campaign would end and the Strait of Hormuz would remain "OPEN TO ALL," including Iran.
According to Axios, Washington expects a response from Tehran on several key points within 48 hours, though no final agreement has been reached. Sources described the current stage as the closest the two sides have come to an understanding since the six-week war began in late February.
Key elements under discussion include a potential Iranian commitment to halt uranium enrichment, in exchange for US steps to lift sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets.
The talks follow months of escalating conflict. The United States and Israel launched a large-scale air campaign against Iran on February 28, striking more than 17,000 targets over six weeks. Iran responded with drone and missile attacks across the Middle East, targeting alleged US- and Israeli-linked assets, particularly in Gulf Arab states.
Tensions have also risen in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route that carries roughly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil. Iran has tightened maritime controls, while the United States has increased naval measures targeting vessels linked to Iranian ports.
The draft agreement is also said to include reciprocal steps to ease restrictions on maritime traffic through the strait.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Beijing, where he held what he described as constructive talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Araghchi said Tehran is seeking Beijing’s support for a “post-war” regional framework to help coordinate security.