Iran said it was reviewing the latest American proposal to end the Iran War as the conflict’s ceasefire entered its 30th day on Thursday.
“The U.S. plan and proposal is still under review by Iran, and after finalizing its viewpoints, Iran will convey its views to key mediators in Pakistan,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told the Iranian Student News Agency Wednesday.
Axios, citing anonymous U.S. officials, reported Wednesday that the White House believes the two sides are converging on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the conflict. Axios said the deal would involve Iran committing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment in exchange for the U.S. agreeing to lift sanctions and unfreeze Iranian assets, and both sides ending their blockades of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed the Axios report on X, calling it “back to routine with Operation Fauxios,” which he said followed the failure of what he termed “Operation Trust Me Bro.” The spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary national security committee, Ebrahim Rezaei, separately said on X Wednesday that “Axios’ text is Americans’ wish list until it becomes reality.”
Iran’s 14-point proposal, delivered via Pakistani mediators Sunday and reported by Tasnim News Agency, demanded resolution of all issues within 30 days, including lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, sanctions relief and the release of Iran’s frozen assets, a withdrawal of U.S. forces from areas surrounding Iran, nonaggression guarantees, and an end to Israel’s campaign in Lebanon. The proposal also calls for “a new mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz,” signaling Iran’s intention to retain at least some control over the waterway in the post-war period.
Drop Site News and NBC News, citing anonymous U.S. officials, reported that Trump’s U-turn on “Project Freedom,” in which the U.S. Navy would guide vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, came after Saudi Arabia and Kuwait both suspended the U.S. military’s access, basing, and overflight privileges needed to carry out the operation.
Iran on Wednesday announced the establishment of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to formalize Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and regulate maritime traffic passing through it. Al Jazeera reported Wednesday that Iran is requiring vessels to apply via email passage, with priority access granted to ships paying in Iranian currency and transit barred for vessels belonging to countries that have sanctioned or seized Iranian assets.
U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that American forces disabled the rudder of the Iranian-flagged oil tanker M/T Hasna in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel attempted to breach the blockade.
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Lebanon’s Health Ministry said that Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks across southern Lebanon on Thursday killed at least seven people, while the IDF said that Hezbollah attacks injured one Israeli soldier on Wednesday.
The attacks come after Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut Wednesday, the first strikes on the city since a ceasefire was announced last month.
Gas prices continued to rise, with AAA reporting the national average gas price at $4.56.
