Iran has said it is still reviewing a US proposal aimed at ending the conflict, even as reports suggested Washington and Tehran may be moving closer to a wider agreement.
Axios on Wednesday reported the White House believes it is nearing a 14‑point memorandum of understanding with Iran that could pave the way for nuclear negotiations.
The draft reportedly includes suspension of uranium enrichment, lifting of sanctions, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, BBC reports.
A senior lawmaker in Tehran dismissed the proposal as a “wish list,” while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Iran would deliver its response through Pakistani mediators once the review is complete. Pakistan’s foreign minister said Islamabad is working to turn the current ceasefire into “a permanent end to this war.”
US President Donald Trump said Washington had held “very good talks with Iran in the last 24 hours” and suggested a deal could soon be reached. He warned on Truth Social that if Iran refused, “the bombing starts” at “a much higher level and intensity than before.”
He added that “Operation Epic Fury,” the initial US‑Israeli offensive, would end if Tehran accepted the terms.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier said the operation had achieved its objectives and was now over. Trump also announced a pause in “Project Freedom,” the US mission to escort stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has not officially commented on the pause, though the IRGC said the strait could reopen if “aggressors’ threats” end. The waterway, through which about 20 percent of global oil and LNG normally passes, has remained blocked since US and Israeli strikes began in late February.
Despite a ceasefire in April halting Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf states, shipping traffic remains limited. US Central Command said Wednesday it disabled an Iranian‑flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman that allegedly tried to break the blockade.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “full coordination” with Washington on Iran policy, stressing the removal of enriched material and dismantling of enrichment capabilities.
His remarks followed Israel’s first strike on Beirut since the April ceasefire with Hezbollah, targeting a commander accused of attacks on Israeli settlements.
Hezbollah, backed by Iran, began cross‑border attacks in March after Israeli strikes on Iran. Despite the ceasefire, both sides continue to trade fire, accusing each other of violations.
