TEHRAN: Iran has confirmed that it has received a formal response from the United States to Tehran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the conflict, as diplomatic efforts between the two countries enter a critical phase. Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the US response to President Masoud Pezeshkian during a cabinet meeting. Pezeshkian said Iran would make every possible effort to put an agreement into practice, but stressed that any understanding must be based on terms acceptable to both sides and serve their mutual interests. Iranian officials have not disclosed the contents of the US response, nor have they said whether Washington rejected Tehran’s proposal or expressed willingness to continue negotiations. According to Reuters, the US response was conveyed to Araghchi through Qatari mediators. The main point of disagreement in the negotiations reportedly concerns the sequence in which the proposed measures should be implemented. Iran presented a seven-day plan last week that included reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring normal maritime traffic in exchange for confidence-building measures and other conditions. US President Donald Trump had publicly rejected the Iranian proposal, while Tehran maintained that it was awaiting a formal response from Washington. With the US response now officially received, the next phase of diplomatic efforts is expected to be significant. However, until the full terms of Washington’s response are made public, it remains unclear whether the two sides are moving closer to a ceasefire or whether further disagreements will emerge during negotiations. Araghchi travelled to New York last week to attend the United Nations General Assembly, where Iranian and US officials held indirect talks. Qatari and Pakistani mediators also played a role in facilitating diplomatic contacts during the discussions. According to Iranian officials, Tehran put forward its latest proposals aimed at ending the conflict and reducing tensions.
