Iran Responds to US Peace Proposal Through Pakistan Mediator Amid High Stakes

Iran has officially responded to a US proposal to end ongoing hostilities, using Pakistan as a mediator, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA. The response, confirmed by a Pakistani diplomatic source to Al Jazeera Arabic, marks a critical moment in efforts to de-escalate tensions that have severely disrupted maritime security in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

The US plan, sent earlier this week, outlines stringent conditions for Iran: a 12-year freeze on nuclear weapon development and uranium enrichment, and the surrender of approximately 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. In return, Washington promises a gradual lifting of sanctions, release of billions in frozen Iranian assets, and an end to its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

This standoff holds immense stakes not just for the US and Iran but for the global economy, especially countries like Pakistan, which faces soaring fuel prices and economic strain due to the blockade. Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder in Islamabad notes Pakistan’s unique position, maintaining good relations with Iran while also holding favor with the Trump administration, potentially positioning it as a key player in brokering a breakthrough.

The coming days are critical. How the US responds to Iran’s counterproposal will determine whether diplomacy can prevail or if the conflict will further escalate, deepening economic turmoil and geopolitical instability. This development underscores the Trump administration’s complex use of foreign conflict as both a strategic lever and a distraction amid domestic controversies, with global consequences hanging in the balance.