Iran Reviews U.S. Counterproposal to End Seven-Month War
President Masoud Pezeshkian is reviewing a U.S. ceasefire counterproposal as both nations remain divided over sanctions relief and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials are reviewing a U.S. counterproposal for a seven-day ceasefire and a framework to end a conflict that began in February 2026. Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, received the response via Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi following indirect talks in New York mediated by Qatar and Pakistan. The discussions involved U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Iran previously proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within one week if the United States lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports, released frozen assets, and waived oil sanctions. Tehran continues to demand objective guarantees for these concessions. While President Donald Trump publicly rejected the initial Iranian proposal and denied offering sanctions relief in exchange for nuclear concessions, he has indicated he remains open to negotiations.
Diplomatic tensions remain high as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly ordered the Iranian delegation to leave New York after talks failed to produce concrete results. Amid these negotiations, three commercial vessels, including an oil and LNG tanker, were hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz. President Pezeshkian has maintained that any final agreement must be based on a win-win strategy.
