Iran Proposes U.S. Deal: Reopen Strait of Hormuz First, Nuclear Talks Later

Iran has presented a new proposal to the U.S. through Pakistani mediators, offering a two-stage agreement: first, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the ongoing conflict, with nuclear negotiations deferred to a later stage. This proposal was confirmed by a U.S. official and two additional sources familiar with the matter.

Why This Matters

The new proposal seeks to resolve the current deadlock in negotiations and sidestep internal disagreements within Iran’s leadership regarding the extent of nuclear concessions it is willing to make to secure a deal with the Trump administration.

Key Concerns and Risks

However, prioritizing a deal on the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the U.S. blockade could diminish President Trump’s leverage in future negotiations. Specifically, it may weaken the U.S. position in addressing Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and securing a decade-long suspension of uranium enrichment—key objectives for Trump in the conflict with Iran.

What to Watch: Upcoming Meeting

President Trump is scheduled to hold a situation room meeting on Monday with his top national security and foreign policy advisors, according to three U.S. officials. One official stated the meeting will focus on the current impasse in negotiations with Iran and explore potential next steps in the conflict.

Trump’s Stance on the Naval Blockade

In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump emphasized his intention to maintain the naval blockade, expressing confidence that Iran will capitulate within weeks. He cited concerns over Iran’s oil export capabilities, warning of potential economic collapse.

"When you have vast amounts of oil pouring through your system ... if for any reason this line is closed because you can't put it into containers or ships ... what happens is that line explodes from within ... they say they only have about three days before that happens. And when it explodes you can never rebuild it the way it was...it would only be 50% of what it is right now. So I think they are under pressure."

Escalation in Negotiations

The crisis in U.S.-Iran negotiations deepened over the weekend after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan on Friday and Saturday, with no progress reported. Trump told Axios that Iran’s position led him to cancel a planned trip by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad.

"I see no point of sending them on an 18-hour flight in the current situation [of the negotiations]. It's too long. We can do it just as well by telephone. The Iranians can call us if they want. We are not gonna travel just to sit there," Trump said.

On Sunday, Araghchi held discussions with Omani officials in Muscat, focusing on the Strait of Hormuz, before returning to Islamabad for a second round of talks. Araghchi was also expected to travel to Moscow on Monday for further meetings with Russian officials.