Iran submits new proposal to end war, US shows 'flexibility' on nuclear activities

A senior Iranian source said the United States has shown "flexibility" in allowing Iran to continue limited peaceful nuclear activities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to Reuters.

The source added that Washington has so far agreed to release only a quarter of Iran's frozen assets in a phased schedule, while Iran has demanded that the United States reconsider both positions.

Reuters sources indicated that Iran has again focused its new proposal on ending the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and lifting maritime sanctions, while more controversial issues such as the nuclear program and uranium enrichment have been "postponed" to later rounds of talks.

This comes after Iran announced its response to a new US proposal aimed at ending the war, saying communication is ongoing with the United States despite Iranian media reports describing Washington's demands as excessive.

Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported, citing a source close to the Iranian negotiating team, that Iran handed over its latest 14-point text through a Pakistani mediator, who then delivered it to the Americans.

The agency's report stated that the new Iranian text focuses "on the issue of negotiations to end the war and confidence-building measures by the American side."

Tasnim also reported in another report that the United States has agreed "to the temporary lifting of sanctions" imposed on Iran.

Pakistani sources confirmed to Reuters on Monday that Pakistan, the mediator in the peace process, had presented a revised proposal from Iran to the United States to end the war in the Middle East, warning that both sides "do not have much time" to narrow their differences.

The Pakistani source did not disclose details of the revised proposal.

When asked if narrowing the differences would take time, the source said that both sides "are constantly changing their goals," adding: "We do not have much time."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said during a press conference on Monday: "As we announced yesterday, our concerns have been conveyed to the American side."

Baghaei added that Iran is focusing at this stage on ending the war, according to official Iranian media.

He confirmed that talks are ongoing with Pakistani mediation.

"Time is running out"

Tehran's announcement comes after US President Donald Trump warned of "dire consequences" for Iran if its leaders did not act quickly.

He wrote in a post on his "Truth Social" platform: "For Iran, time is running out, and it must act quickly, time is a crucial factor."

Trump also threatened that "nothing will remain" of Iran if an agreement is not reached.

Fox News also reported that President Trump would meet with his national security and military advisors in the White House Situation Room on Tuesday to review the latest developments related to Iran.

Crucial meetings, usually related to war and security developments, are held in the Situation Room at the White House.

In the past few days, Trump has expressed his dissatisfaction with Iran's response to his proposals, and has threatened Tehran with seeking an agreement with Washington "as soon as possible," otherwise, according to Trump, "nothing may remain."

Trump's message reiterated his previous threat that "an entire civilization" would collapse unless Iran agreed to a deal to end the war, before the announcement of a ceasefire in early April.

For his part, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called on President Trump to target Iran's energy infrastructure unless it agrees to American terms in the nuclear negotiations.

The Republican Senator told NBC: "Hit them harder. Maybe if they are hurt enough, they will agree. But I think now they are trying to keep us waiting. I think they are playing games, and in the President's words, I think they are crazy."

Several experts have warned in recent weeks that attacks on vital civilian infrastructure constitute a violation of humanitarian norms governing international conflicts.

More on Iran's position?

Iran's Supreme National Security Council announced on Monday the formation of a new authority to manage the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has closed and seeks to impose fees on ships for passage following the war launched by the United States and Israel against it.

The Supreme National Security Council shared a post on its official X account about what was named the "Persian Gulf Strait Authority," stating that it would provide "immediate updates on Hormuz Strait operations and latest developments."

The naval account of the Revolutionary Guard shared the same post.

The exact powers of this new authority have not yet been revealed. However, according to the commercial magazine "Lloyd's List," it "is responsible for approving ship passage and collecting passage fees in the Strait of Hormuz."

The same source obliges ships to provide detailed information about their owner, insurance, crew members, and planned passage route. Earlier this month, Iran's official television channel "Press TV" described the authority as "a system designed to exercise sovereignty" over the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran announced last month that it had collected the first revenues from fees imposed on this strategic waterway.

Iran's closure of this maritime passage, through which nearly a fifth of global oil production usually passes, disrupts global energy markets and gives Tehran significant strategic leverage.

For its part, the United States continues its blockade of Iranian ports despite the ceasefire agreement that entered into force on April 8.

Carl Sko, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme, told the BBC that the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israeli war on Iran affects the UN agency's ability to provide aid to the most vulnerable people in the world.

He added that the shortage of fertilizers resulting from the closure of the strait will affect crop cultivation and will have a catastrophic impact in the coming months if the situation is not resolved, especially in regions like East Africa.

Regarding enrichment, Baghaei said: "What can be said with certainty is that the issue of rights is not a subject for discussion or compromise. Iran's right to enrichment is recognized under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."

Responding to a question about the five conditions of the United States versus the five conditions of Iran, Baghaei said: "Our demands are clear. For example, regarding the release of Iranian assets, you say this is our condition, and we say this is our demand."

He added: "The United States no longer enjoys international credibility," saying: "The countries of the region, including the United Arab Emirates, should learn from the events of recent months, which have shown that the American presence has not contributed to the region's security, but rather exposes it to grave danger."

He added that Iran harbors no enmity towards any country in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, according to official media.

Iranian media reported that the United States failed to make any tangible concessions in its response to Tehran's latest proposals to end the conflict.

The semi-official Mehr News Agency published that the lack of compromise from Washington would lead to "a stalemate in negotiations." However, Baghaei insisted that these conditions are "responsible" and "generous."

Israeli army preparations

Israeli media reported on the "preparations" of the Israeli army to accompany the United States in a new attack on Iran. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority stated that the Israeli army is preparing for the possibility of a conflict with Iran.

The authority quoted an unnamed Israeli security official as saying that if new American strikes begin, Israel will join the operation and target Iran's energy infrastructure.

This report comes after a phone call between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

The same channel also reported that the Israeli army is on high alert.

Channel 13 reported the landing of dozens of planes loaded with American ammunition and weapons in Israel.

Iranian and American conditions

According to the semi-official Iranian Tasnim News Agency, Tehran's conditions included an immediate end to the war on all fronts - referring to ongoing Israeli attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon - a halt to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and guarantees against any further attacks on Iran.

They also included, according to reports, a demand for compensation for war damages, affirmation of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, complete lifting of US sanctions, and release of all frozen Iranian assets.

The semi-official Iranian Fars News Agency reported on Sunday that Washington had set five conditions in response to Tehran's proposal, including that the United States would not pay any fines or compensation, and the handover of 400 kg of Iranian uranium to the American side.

These conditions also included, according to reports, a demand for Iran to keep only one nuclear site operational, transfer its stock of highly enriched uranium to the United States, and not return up to 25 percent of Iran's frozen assets.

Trump hinted on Friday that he would accept Iran suspending its nuclear program for twenty years - a key point of contention between the two countries - in what appeared to be a confirmation of a shift in position away from demanding the program's complete termination.