Iran-US: New Proposals Through Mediators, But Stalemate on Negotiation Topics

New diplomatic moves in the crisis between Iran and the United States, but negotiations remain stalled over which issue should be prioritized. Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf confirmed that Washington sent "some proposals through a mediator" after Tehran presented a 7-day roadmap for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran has already rejected the American approach, calling it "similar to previous ones" because it focuses on the nuclear dossier, while Tehran intends to discuss exclusively the reopening of the strategic strait.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened within seven days only if the U.S. accepts the Iranian plan. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth assured that the U.S. naval blockade on the strait "is ironclad" and that the United States maintains control over it, warning Tehran of the "possible consequences" if it continues to "play games" with the maritime passage. Russia, through Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, has offered to mediate, emphasizing that it does not want to sacrifice its relations with Tehran.

The current crisis between Iran and the United States has its roots in decades of tensions but has drastically escalated with the Trump administration's decision to impose a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil transport. In response, Iran has closed the strait, triggering an economic and military crisis. The conflict has since become intertwined with Iran's controversial nuclear program, which the U.S. and other countries fear could lead to the development of an atomic weapon—something Tehran has consistently denied.

To break the deadlock, Iran recently presented a seven-point plan, known as the "Islamabad Memorandum," which calls for an end to hostilities, the unfreezing of Iranian funds, and the cessation of the naval blockade. The United States, however, insists on refocusing negotiations on controlling Iran's nuclear program, fearing that any concession on Hormuz without nuclear guarantees would dangerously strengthen Tehran. Russia, tied to Iran by rapidly growing trade relations (up 20% in the last year) and shared opposition to Western sanctions, is now seeking a mediating role, while the international community watches with concern a crisis that Cardinal Parolin has described as lacking a "military solution."