Washington is moving on two tracks at once: war and settlement. According to officials and informed sources, the United States has drawn up a 15-point plan aimed at ending the war with Iran, offering major sanctions relief in return for a heavy package of demands: removing all enriched material from Iran, giving up enrichment capabilities, imposing limits on the ballistic missile program, and ending support for armed groups in the region, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas. The available information indicates that this plan has already been delivered to Iran.
This move came as the Pakistani mediation effort appeared closer to becoming real. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Pakistan was among many countries that had approached Tehran with mediation offers, and that messages regarding a form of negotiation had indeed reached Iran and received a response.
By contrast, a Pakistani security analyst familiar with the track said the country’s political and military leadership is facilitating indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, and that this channel has made rapid and notable progress.
Detail
These mediation efforts are advancing against the backdrop of a new wave of Iranian attacks on Gulf states and Israel, the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and Pentagon plans to mobilize around 2,000 paratroopers to the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations are taking place right now and that Washington is speaking to the right leaders. He also named an American team involved in this track that includes Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Marco Rubio, and JD Vance!
Pakistan did not stop at offering to host. Shehbaz Sharif wrote publicly that his country is ready to host meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement to the conflict. Pakistani officials said Sharif also briefed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on what they described as constructive diplomatic outreach to all parties.
Cautious optimism over the possibility of talks eased pressure on oil Wednesday morning, with Brent crude falling below $95 a barrel after having exceeded $104 the previous day.
What next?
The U.S. proposal asks Iran to give up issues it considers essential to the regime’s security: enrichment, missiles, and its network of regional allies. In return, Washington is offering broad sanctions relief.
(Analysis)
The American plan looks closer to a formula for managed surrender than to a balanced settlement. It asks Iran to redefine its nuclear, missile, and regional behavior all at once. That is why Washington is likely trying to use military pressure, the closure of Hormuz, and energy disruption as tools to push Tehran toward accepting a deal that is bigger than a mere truce.
