Iran has laid out a three-stage proposal for negotiations with the United States. The framework comes as both sides walked away from the second round of peace talks in Pakistan. According to local media reports, Tehran’s conditions revolve around ending the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and addressing the nuclear issue — in that specific order.
The Three Stages
Per Al Madayeen, Iran conveyed through mediators that any successful resumption of talks must follow this sequence:
Stage 1: Complete end of the war
Iran demands a full halt to the conflict and guarantees that it will not resume against Iran and Lebanon. This is Tehran’s bottom line before any other issue can be discussed.
Stage 2: Management of the Strait of Hormuz
Only after the first stage is agreed upon will the parties discuss the administration of the strategic waterway. Iran has effectively closed the strait for weeks, disrupting global oil supplies. The US has demanded it be reopened immediately.
Stage 3: Nuclear issue
Only after the first two stages are crossed will Iran discuss its nuclear program. This is a key sticking point. The US has long demanded that Tehran stop uranium enrichment and move its stockpile out of the country. Iran has refused, insisting that its nuclear activities are peaceful.
US Response
White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Axios: “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the U.S. will not negotiate through the press. As the president has said, the United States holds the cards and will only make a deal that puts the American people first, never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
Talks Stall
The proposed framework comes after the second round of Iran-US talks in Pakistan failed. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan twice but refused to hold direct talks with Washington. President Trump responded by saying “no more 18-hour flights” for his envoys, adding that discussions could always be conducted by phone.
Iran Looks to Russia
Araghchi has now left for Moscow, where he is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks are expected to focus on the latest developments regarding negotiations and the ceasefire in the Middle East. Russia has emerged as a key diplomatic backer of Iran during the conflict.
What Comes Next
With talks stalled and both sides blaming each other, the path to peace remains unclear. Iran has offered a clear roadmap. The US has not rejected it outright but insists it will not allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons. For now, the war continues, the strait remains closed, and the nuclear issue remains unresolved.
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