Iran has offered a new agreement; Donald Trump for now says “no” but keeps the dialogue open. The White House says Tehran’s plan to end the war is “unacceptable.” Channels remain open and the US president has set an immediate goal: to “free” ships that have been held for weeks in the Strait of Hormuz, a passage partly constrained by Iran and partly sealed by the US naval blockade.

“Countries around the world-many of them completely unrelated to the current Middle East dispute and simply neutral observers-have asked the United States to intervene to free their ships, which are trapped in the Strait of Hormuz in a situation that does not concern them: they are innocent, neutral parties. For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have assured these countries that we will get their vessels out of these waters,” Trump wrote on the social platform Truth, announcing that “this operation, called Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning.”

The plan to free the ships

“I am fully aware that my representatives are holding very positive talks with Iran and that these discussions could lead to something beneficial for everyone. The movement of the ships is intended solely to free people, companies, and countries that have committed no wrongdoing; they are victims of circumstance,” the president added.

“This is a humanitarian act by the United States, by Middle Eastern countries, and above all by Iran. Many of these vessels are running low on food and essential supplies needed to keep their crews on board in acceptable sanitary conditions. I believe such a gesture would be a significant show of goodwill by all who have struggled so hard in recent months. If, in any way, this humanitarian effort is obstructed, such interference will unfortunately have to be met with firmness,” he concluded, opening the possibility of a de-escalation that could lead to a broader agreement.

Tehran’s proposal

The latest basis for discussion is a 14-point document prepared by Tehran and delivered to the United States with Pakistan’s mediation. The plan-as reported by Al Jazeera-includes key conditions such as guarantees of non-aggression by the United States and the lifting of the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for a gradual “green light” from the Revolutionary Guards for commercial navigation. It also proposes creating a new mechanism to manage the strategic passage, ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and unfreezing Iranian assets. The proposal also calls for the war to end within 30 days.

So what is actually new? According to Al Arabiya, Iran has reduced some of its preliminary demands and agreed to include its nuclear program in negotiations. It no longer demands the withdrawal of US troops from the region, but seeks a halt to the strengthening of the American presence. Tehran would be willing to freeze uranium enrichment for 15 years and later cap enrichment at 3.6%, well below levels needed for military use.

Iran (possibly) opens on the nuclear issue

At the same time, a gradual reduction of currently enriched stockpiles would take place. Iran holds about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%; to reach 90%-the level that would allow production of a nuclear weapon-in theory requires only a few additional relatively simple steps. As has been the case for the past two months, diplomatic maneuvers and public statements do not always align. Iran, through Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, denies that the nuclear issue was included in the draft agreement and says the United States, despite Trump’s emphatic public remarks, has sent a formal response.

While Tehran may be softening its position behind the scenes, it continues to send hardline messages through media and social channels. “The United States is the only pirate nation in the world with aircraft carriers. Our ability to confront pirates is not inferior to our ability to sink warships. Be prepared to face a graveyard of your carriers and forces, just as the remains of your planes were left at Isfahan,” warned Mohsen Rezaei, advisor to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

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