With U.S.-Iran talks on ending the war stalled, Iran has put forward both a phased framework and a separate compromise proposal through mediators in an effort to break the impasse. But sharp differences over the nuclear issue — and reported divisions inside Iran — have left the prospects for renewed negotiations uncertain.
Lebanon-based pro-Hezbollah outlet Al Mayadeen reported that Iran delivered a three-step proposal to mediating countries on April 26 (local time), calling first for a guaranteed ceasefire, then maritime cooperation in the Strait of Hormuz, and only afterward talks on Iran’s nuclear program. The report said Iran indicated it could return to negotiations if the United States accepted the framework.
The plan separates issues by stage. In the first phase, Iran would discuss only a halt to U.S. and Israeli military action and demands guarantees against renewed attacks on Iran and Lebanon. If that is agreed, the second phase would address management of the Strait of Hormuz, including plans to work with Oman on a new legal framework. The third phase would take up the nuclear program, but only after agreements in the earlier phases, the report said.
Separately, Iran has also floated a compromise, Axios reported, citing a U.S. administration official and two sources familiar with the matter. Iran proposed, through mediators including Pakistan, opening the Strait of Hormuz and declaring an end to the war first, then continuing nuclear talks later, Axios said. The idea is to resolve Iran’s control of the strait and the U.S. maritime blockade up front, seek a long-term ceasefire or end-of-war agreement, and then move to nuclear negotiations.
Axios said the approach could create negotiating space while sidestepping domestic pushback in Iran over putting the nuclear issue on the table. Iranian leaders are divided between hard-liners and moderates on how to proceed, and hard-liners are strongly opposed to making the nuclear program a negotiating agenda item, the report said.
A source said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told mediators there is no agreement within Iran’s leadership on how to handle U.S. demands related to uranium enrichment.
It remains unclear whether Washington would accept Iran’s proposals. The maritime blockade is seen as a key tool to pressure Iran in any future nuclear talks, and lifting it early could reduce U.S. leverage. The United States is currently demanding at least a 10-year halt to uranium enrichment and the removal of existing enriched uranium from Iran, the report said.
As pressure continues, President Donald Trump said he wants direct talks with Iran. In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump said he would not have U.S. negotiators travel for 18 hours and that he would handle it by phone. “So if they want, they can call us,” he said. Trump added that Iran knows what must be in an agreement and insisted it cannot have nuclear weapons. “Otherwise, there’s no reason to meet,” he said.
Araghchi returned to Islamabad on April 27 and met with Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, among others. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said the visit aimed to convey Iran’s demands for ending the war through mediator Pakistan. Araghchi was reported to have presented key issues including a new legal framework for the Strait of Hormuz, compensation for war damage, guarantees against renewed attacks, and lifting the maritime blockade on Iran. An Iranian official said the ongoing discussions focus on conditions to end the recent military conflict and are “not related at all” to the nuclear issue raised by some.
Araghchi also arrived in Russia and plans to meet President Vladimir Putin as part of Iran’s diplomatic efforts related to the war.
Trump, meanwhile, is expected to hold a Situation Room meeting at the White House on April 27 with national security and foreign policy advisers to discuss the stalled talks and next steps, U.S. administration officials told Axios.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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