The proposal, a 15-point plan put forward by the United States and delivered to Tehran via Pakistani intermediaries, has not been formally accepted or rejected. While Iranian officials publicly criticized the initiative, internal deliberations appear to be ongoing, suggesting divisions within Tehran over how to proceed.

Initial reaction “not positive,” but no final decision

A senior Iranian official reported that Tehran’s preliminary response to Washington’s proposal “was not positive,” though it has already been communicated back to the United States through Pakistan.

Despite this, Iran has stopped short of issuing a definitive rejection. The delay in providing a formal answer has fueled speculation that parts of the Iranian leadership may still be weighing the strategic benefits of engaging with the proposal.

Conflicting signals have emerged from Iranian media and officials. State-linked outlets suggested the proposal had been rejected outright, while other sources indicated that discussions are continuing behind closed doors.

What the U.S. proposal includes

According to officials familiar with the plan, the U.S. framework outlines sweeping conditions for de-escalation. These include demands that Iran halt uranium enrichment, scale back its ballistic missile program, and end support for regional allied groups. In exchange, the proposal reportedly offers sanctions relief and a pathway toward a ceasefire.

However, Iranian officials have criticized the terms as overly one-sided. Some described the plan as “maximalist and unreasonable,” reflecting deep mistrust toward Washington’s intentions.

Mediation efforts and indirect diplomacy

Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary, relaying messages between Tehran and Washington. Officials in Islamabad confirmed they are still awaiting a definitive response from Iran’s leadership.

Other regional actors, including Egypt and Turkey, are also reportedly involved in efforts to broker talks, with potential venues for negotiations under discussion.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, Iran continues to publicly deny direct negotiations with the United States, maintaining a hardline stance in official statements.

War continues amid fragile diplomacy

The diplomatic maneuvering comes against the backdrop of escalating military conflict across the Middle East. Ongoing strikes between Iran, Israel, and U.S.-linked forces have caused significant damage and casualties, while tensions in key strategic areas such as the Strait of Hormuz remain high.

The United States has also increased its military presence in the region, underscoring the fragile balance between diplomacy and further escalation.

Global implications

News that Iran is still considering the proposal has had immediate international repercussions. Markets reacted positively to the possibility of de-escalation, while global leaders, including the United Nations, have called for restraint and renewed diplomatic engagement.

Nevertheless, major obstacles remain. Iran has signaled it may only accept a settlement on its own terms, while U.S. officials continue to push for broad concessions, leaving the outcome uncertain.

Outlook

For now, the situation remains fluid. Iran’s willingness to keep the proposal under review despite its negative initial reaction suggests that diplomacy is still a viable, if uncertain, path forward.

Whether the current backchannel discussions can translate into formal negotiations or a ceasefire will likely depend on both sides’ ability to bridge deep political and strategic divides in the days ahead.

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Talks between Iran and the U.S. were paused after a 12-day conflict in June, during which Israel and the U.S. targeted Iranian nuclear sites, and Iran responded with multiple ballistic missile attacks on Israel.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, expressed on social media: “We indeed pursue rational negotiations. By raising unrealisable issues such as missile restrictions, they set a path that negates any talks.”

Western nations worry that Iran’s uranium enrichment could produce material for nuclear weapons and that it may be developing missiles capable of delivering such warheads. Iran maintains its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes like electricity generation and insists it does not pursue missiles designed to carry nuclear arms. Furthermore, Tehran asserts its defense capabilities are non-negotiable in any nuclear discussions.

Larijani’s remarks came shortly after France, Germany, and Britain introduced a “snapback mechanism” to potentially reimpose U.N. sanctions on Iran over its nuclear activities. These European countries have called on Iran to return to talks with the U.S. and meet other conditions to delay the reimplementation of sanctions for up to six months.

The statement comes just days after Israel launched five waves of airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets, igniting fears of a broader regional war. While Trump acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense, he warned that continued offensive action could undermine fragile progress made during the ongoing backchannel negotiations with Iran.

Trump: “I’m a Man of Peace, Let’s Finish the Deal”

Speaking during a press briefing at the White House, President Trump framed his position as a balancing act between supporting Israel, a longtime ally, and seeking a lasting diplomatic solution with Iran.

“Israel has legitimate security concerns. But right now, we’re closer than ever to a workable nuclear deal. I’ve told Prime Minister Netanyahu: don’t strike while peace is still possible,” Trump said.

He reiterated his belief that Iran could still avert a full-scale conflict if it agrees to deeper nuclear transparency and limits on uranium enrichment key sticking points in the current negotiations.

“I am, and always have been, a man of peace. We don’t need another war in the Middle East. We need solutions.”

Nuclear Deal Talks: 6th Round Set in Oman

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, is scheduled to lead a sixth round of indirect talks with Iranian negotiators this Sunday in Muscat, Oman a long-time neutral mediator in U.S.-Iran diplomacy.

Sources close to the negotiations say Oman has helped bridge significant gaps, especially around Iran’s compliance with IAEA inspections and its ballistic missile development program.

“We’re not there yet, but we’re getting close,” Witkoff said in a brief statement to reporters. “The stakes couldn’t be higher.”

U.S. Draws Red Lines: No Offensive Support for Israel’s Strikes

While reaffirming support for Israel’s security, President Trump also made it clear that the United States will not provide offensive military assistance for any unilateral Israeli strike on Iranian soil.

“We are not authorizing or assisting in offensive operations against Iran,” a senior U.S. defense official confirmed. “We remain focused on diplomacy but we’re monitoring the situation closely.”

American forces in the Persian Gulf and eastern Mediterranean remain on high alert, with the Pentagon emphasizing defensive posturing only.

Israel’s Response: Netanyahu Vows to “Act if Needed”

Despite Trump’s appeal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained defiant in a televised address late Thursday, stating:

“Israel will act, with or without permission, if our survival is threatened. We appreciate the friendship of the United States, but we must do what is necessary.”

However, sources inside Israel’s Defense Ministry suggest that military leaders are closely watching the diplomatic developments in Oman and may pause further strikes temporarily, depending on Iran’s next move.

Regional Stakes: War or Diplomatic Breakthrough?

The renewed focus on diplomacy comes amid intense global concern over the potential for full-scale war. A successful deal could stabilize much of the Middle East, bring sanctions relief to Iran, and prevent a dangerous nuclear arms race.

However, failure could spark a tit-for-tat escalation involving Israel, Iran, U.S. regional assets, and Iran’s proxy groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.

The coming days particularly Sunday’s negotiations may prove pivotal in deciding whether the region steps back from the brink, or plunges into deeper conflict.