Iran Delivers 10-Point Proposal to US via Pakistan Amid Escalation Deadline

Tehran has formally transmitted a 10-point proposal to the United States, utilizing Pakistan as the diplomatic channel for delivery. This action occurs as a critical deadline, set by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding potential military escalation, approaches, signaling high-stakes negotiations concerning regional security and sanctions.

The Iranian response document, delivered on Monday, explicitly rejects a temporary ceasefire in favor of pursuing a permanent cessation of hostilities based on terms put forth by Iran. Iranian officials reportedly demand an end to Israeli strikes against Hezbollah and the complete revocation of sanctions imposed on Tehran. President Donald Trump in Washington D.C. acknowledged receipt of the 10-point proposal, characterizing it as a "significant step" while simultaneously stating it was "not good enough" to resolve the ongoing crisis.

White House officials confirmed that the negotiation channel remains open, though the existing deadline for Iran is not expected to be extended, despite previous postponements by President Trump. President Trump reiterated his threat of large-scale retaliatory strikes against Iranian vital infrastructure, such as power plants and bridges, should an agreement not be reached before the Tuesday 8 p.m. ET deadline. This direct dismissal of the proposal's sufficiency by the U.S. President indicates that the diplomatic window remains narrow despite the formal exchange of documents.

Pakistan has emerged as the principal mediator in the crisis, conveying messages between Tehran and Washington, and even offering to host talks in Islamabad. Islamabad's role in this back-channel diplomacy is intended to prevent further escalation and maintain dialogue amid the ongoing hostilities. The new Iranian proposal follows a 15-point initiative Washington sent via Pakistan on March 24, which Tehran had previously rejected as "excessive, unusual, and illogical." Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baqaei stated that negotiations cannot proceed concurrently with "ultimatums or threats of war crimes."

The 10-point Iranian framework details provisions concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route for oil and natural gas exports. Iran reportedly offers to lift the de facto blockade on the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for concessions contingent upon the fulfillment of its demands. Furthermore, the proposal suggests implementing a transit fee of approximately $2 million per vessel crossing the strait, with revenue to be shared with Oman, the bordering nation. Iran specified that a portion of this revenue would be allocated to funding the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by prior attacks, rather than seeking direct compensation.

Conversely, the U.S. threat has focused on civilian infrastructure; President Trump threatened to destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran if a deal was not finalized. This threat prompted a warning from the United Nations, through Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, that any attack on civilian infrastructure constitutes a violation of international law. However, Trump stated he was "not concerned at all" regarding accusations of war crimes related to potential strikes. Meanwhile, Iran has threatened to respond to attacks on its electrical infrastructure with reciprocal strikes against neighboring countries hosting U.S. military assets.

Overall, this exchange of proposals highlights the divergence between Iran's demand for a permanent end to the war and the U.S. emphasis on reopening the Strait of Hormuz under increasing military threat. The Pakistan-led diplomatic effort is unfolding amid widespread concern over broader regional conflict, with analysts noting Pakistan's rare access to both Tehran and Washington. Despite reported positive progress in indirect communication, substantial differences persist, necessitating further rounds of negotiation to achieve a mutually acceptable resolution.