A proposed peace plan for the conflict with Iran has been shared by Donald Trump with partner nations such as Israel, as efforts continue to avert violations of the ceasefire from undermining negotiations. Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who serves as foreign minister for Pakistan, is scheduled to travel to Washington on Friday for discussions with Marco Rubio, his counterpart from the United States, as both sides work to advance the talks.
Iran struck a US air base in Kuwait on Thursday following Washington's attack on what it characterised as an Iranian drone facility near the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the tense circumstances as negotiators on both sides have not reached agreement on remaining disputed issues.
The proposal Trump circulated differs only slightly from versions distributed throughout the region in recent days, outlining provisions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, end port restrictions, and allow Tehran to access approximately $12 billion (£9 billion) in assets currently held. The agreement envisions commercial traffic through the strait returning to levels seen before the conflict within a month, with discussions on Iran's nuclear activities beginning shortly after and continuing for up to two months. The proposal encompasses dialogue regarding Tehran's reserves of weapons-grade uranium, a temporary halt to additional enrichment activities, and oversight by the IAEA, the United Nations nuclear monitoring body.
Beijing has called for UN Security Council approval of any such accord.
The agreement in its present form would prove difficult for Israel to accept, as it postpones concrete nuclear commitments from Iran and mandates a lasting cessation of hostilities extending to Lebanon. The draft provides less detail than Iran's proposal regarding the removal of sanctions affecting the country's oil and petrochemical sectors.
The document maintains that passage through the Hormuz waterway remains unrestricted and free of charges. Oman and Iran are pursuing a bilateral arrangement distinct from any understanding that could introduce charges for maritime passage assistance. Trump stated on Wednesday that the United States would use military force against Oman if the country pursued an agreement with Iran involving toll implementation, a statement that received no formal reply from Muscat.
A statement from the naval branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed that 26 commercial vessels and oil tankers received clearance to transit the strait over the preceding day. The IRGC stated that authorisation must be obtained beforehand, and that travel via alternative paths would be regarded as interference. On Wednesday evening, the authorities stopped four vessels attempting passage through the waterway without activated tracking systems. According to the statement, two were halted at their positions while two others were compelled to reverse course.
Despite recent confrontations between the two nations, diplomatic channels through intermediaries in Pakistan and Qatar have remained open, though increased tanker traffic through the strait without authorisation from Tehran could undermine the tentative truce established in early April. Oil prices rose 2% on Thursday morning, though they stayed under $100 per barrel.
During a visit to the Russian capital, Ali Bagheri, who serves as Iran's deputy foreign minister, restated Tehran's position that frozen financial resources should be transferred to Iranian banking institutions without preconditions. In response, Washington has placed sanctions on Iran's newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which oversees vessel transit through the strategic waterway. Officials in Iran have sought to secure coordination arrangements with Oman.
Amid internal debate within Iran regarding engagement with Trump, the supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei instructed officials to prevent disagreements from becoming fractures and ensure the currently suspended parliament addresses economic issues affecting citizens. Iran's Supreme Leader stated that the nation faces pressure from Washington and Israel to yield to external demands. According to the statement, the opposing force's strategy involves fostering discord and causing harm to offset its battlefield losses.
Reports indicate that diplomatic officials in Oman responded with displeasure and surprise to Wednesday's statement. Oman has engaged in discussions with Iran regarding the strait's governance while opposing arrangements that would impose fees or enable substantial Iranian control over maritime passage. Omani media outlets did not reference the presidential advisory.
Amnesty International documented the detention of over 6,000 individuals in Iran following military operations that commenced on 28 February, with those apprehended including activists, members of the press, legal professionals, civil liberties advocates, political opponents, and people from minority ethnic and faith communities.
