After weeks of rising tensions, Donald Trump announced that the United States would pause its military strikes on Iran for a 2-week ceasefire, stepping back just hours before a key deadline. he said the pause would depend on iran agreeing to the “complete, immediate, and safe opening of the strait of hormuz.”
Trump also said Iran had put forward a “workable peace point” through its 10-point proposal, signalling that there may now be some common ground for negotiations
On Monday, Iran turned down a proposal to stop the war, even as the clock ticked toward Trump’s deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran instead shared a response made up of ten clauses.
According to its state news agency, the plan focuses on ending the wider conflict in the region, ensuring safe passage through the Strait, lifting sanctions, and rebuilding damaged infrastructure. At the same time, Tehran made its stance clear, it will not work under deadlines while reviewing any proposal.
The message was passed through Pakistan, which has been acting as a go-between during this tense standoff.
What Iran is offering in return
Two senior Iranian officials, speaking anonymously to the NYT, said Iran wants strong guarantees: no more attacks on its soil, an end to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, and a complete removal of sanctions. In exchange, Iran has signalled it is ready to ease one of the biggest pressure points in the conflict, the crucial oil route, the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has effectively been blocking traffic there, but under this proposal, it would allow ships to pass again. However, Tehran plans to charge around $2 million per ship. That money would be shared with Oman, which lies across the strait.
Instead of asking for direct compensation for war damage, Iran says it would use its share of this money to rebuild roads, facilities, and other infrastructure hit by American and Israeli strikes.
Here’s the 10-point proposal
- No more attacks on Iran
Iran wants a firm guarantee that the US and its allies will stop all strikes permanently. Tehran is not asking for just a temporary pause but a lasting end to the conflict. - Release of Iranian assets
All Iranian assets frozen abroad must be returned as part of the agreement. - Stop Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Iran demands an end to attacks in Lebanon, where Israel has been targeting Hezbollah. - Lift all US sanctions
Tehran wants all American sanctions removed, as they have long harmed Iran’s economy. - No more attacks on Iran’s allies
Iran insists that its allied groups across the region must be left alone under any broader peace deal. - Safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
Iran says it is ready to allow ships to pass through this vital global oil route safely. - Fee per ship
Each ship passing through the Strait would need to pay a fee of around $2 million. - Sharing revenue with Oman
The money collected from transit fees would be split with Oman, which sits across the Strait. Tehran would also set up a proper system to ensure the safe passage of ships. - Binding UN Security Council resolution
Iran wants all agreements formalised through a binding resolution at the UN Security Council. - Use fees to rebuild
Rather than asking for direct compensation, Iran plans to use the collected fees to rebuild infrastructure damaged during the conflict.
Trump calls it ‘significant,’ but not enough
Speaking at the White House, Donald Trump acknowledged the offer but made it clear it falls short. “It’s a significant proposal. It’s a significant step,” he said. “It’s not good enough. But it’s a very significant step.”
If Iran does not meet his demands by 8 pm Tuesday, he warned of massive new strikes that could leave lasting damage. “It will take them 100 years to rebuild,” he said.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state media made it clear that the proposal is not about a temporary ceasefire. It “rejected a cease-fire” and instead stressed the need for a complete and lasting end to the war, on its own terms.
Iranian outlets claimed the country has the “upper hand” right now, pointing to its ability to choke off shipping in the Strait and its claim that it shot down an American F-15E fighter jet, even though the US managed to rescue both airmen.
Earlier US proposal already rejected
This isn’t the first attempt at talks. Back on March 24, the United States had sent a 15-point plan to Iran, again through Pakistan. Tehran rejected that offer and came back with counter-demands, some of which have now reappeared in this latest proposal. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, called it “extremely excessive, unusual and illogical.”
‘We’re dealing with different people now’
Trump, meanwhile, suggested the situation inside Iran has changed after recent strikes. “We’re dealing with different people now,” he said. “They’re smarter. They’re sharper, I think less radical.” He even claimed that the US and Israel had effectively achieved “regime change” by killing several top Iranian leaders.”