Kamal Ghorui
US president Donald Trump has shared a 15-point proposal with Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, saying that it “all starts with, they cannot have a nuclear weapon,” signalling a renewed diplomatic push even as military operations continue, according to a report by the NYT citing officials privy to the matter.The plan, conveyed through Pakistan, outlines key issues including Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, as Washington seeks an “offramp” from a war now in its fourth week that has widened to involve multiple countries. Israel’s Channel 12 said that Trump was proposing a one-month ceasefire during which the sides would discuss a proposal that would include handing over Iran’s enriched uranium and banning further enrichment. The New York Times said it had not reviewed the document but was told it also addresses maritime security concerns. Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has effectively restricted Western shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil and gas supplies and driving up prices.
The proposal also tends to involve that Iran would ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.Following adherence to the plan, Iran in turn would see an end to all sanctions, which have been in place in various forms for years, the Israeli report said, according to AFP. Iran would also receive assistance in developing civil nuclear energy at Bushehr, a key site which dates from before the 1979 Islamic revolution. However, it remains unclear how widely the proposal has been circulated within Iran’s leadership or whether Tehran is willing to engage on its basis. There is also no clarity on whether Israel supports the initiative.Despite the diplomatic outreach, hostilities show no immediate signs of easing. Israeli officials have indicated that military operations could continue for weeks. Acknowledging parallel diplomatic efforts, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “As President Trump and his negotiators explore this newfound possibility of diplomacy, Operation Epic Fury continues unabated to achieve the military objectives laid out by the commander in chief and the Pentagon.”Pakistan and its army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, have been positioning themselves as possible intermediaries, leveraging reported ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to facilitate communication. Officials said Egypt and Turkey are also encouraging Tehran to engage constructively.Munir has reached out to Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, proposing that Pakistan host talks between the two sides, the report says. Supporting the initiative, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country “fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end” the conflict. “Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” he said in a social media post.Iran’s ability to respond quickly remains uncertain. Senior officials are reportedly facing communication challenges and security concerns, fearing targeted strikes if they convene in person. Early in the conflict, Israeli strikes killed several top Iranian leaders, including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, creating uncertainty over decision-making authority in Tehran.While the US and Israel have targeted Iran’s missile infrastructure and nuclear facilities, Iran continues to launch strikes against Israel and neighbouring countries. It is also believed to retain significant stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.The latest diplomatic push suggests Washington may be open, at least for now, to allowing Iran’s current regime to remain in place in a weakened form, even as earlier positions on regime change appeared to fluctuate.
