US reviews Iran peace proposal amid ongoing war tensions

United States President Donald Trump’s national security team is reviewing an Iranian peace proposal aimed at halting the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. This comes as Washington weighs its next steps, including delaying talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, indicating Tehran is considering a US request to resume negotiations. Despite ongoing tensions, these comments signal cautious movement on diplomacy.

Iran's demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz include a top Iranian official stating that the country’s armed forces would be the authority responsible for the waterway under a proposed national law. Iran's Foreign Minister accused Washington of being responsible for the failure of talks, while Tehran condemned the US for capturing two Iran-linked oil tankers, labeling it as “armed robbery on the high seas.” Meanwhile, dozens of countries have called for the “urgent and unimpeded reopening” of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route for global oil trade.

The diplomatic landscape is shifting, with Gulf nations likely to support Tehran’s peace proposal, which prioritizes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without negotiating a new nuclear deal. Former US officials suggest that Trump may back Iran’s plan to alleviate economic pressures, which could separate nuclear discussions from efforts to reopen the vital trade route. This separation could represent a strategic victory for Iran, particularly as the global economy faces mounting strain.

What to watch: Trump will hold talks with his top security advisers on Monday regarding the Iran war, which could influence the direction of US-Iran relations.