US President Donald Trump said the ongoing conflict involving Iran could end “quickly,” while Tehran confirmed it was still reviewing a US proposal delivered through Pakistani mediation aimed at easing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Speaking during a tele-rally for Georgia Republican governor candidate Burt Jones, Trump defended Washington’s actions and framed them around Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
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“When you look at the kind of things that are happening, we are doing that for one very important reason: We cannot allow them to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “So I think most people understand that. They understand that what we are doing is right, and it’ll be over quickly.”
His remarks came as diplomatic activity intensified behind the scenes following weeks of military escalation and growing fears over disruptions in global oil shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
Iran says proposal still under review
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency on Wednesday that Tehran had not yet reached a final decision on the latest US proposal.
Baghaei said the message conveyed through Pakistani mediation remained under review and that Iran would communicate its official response after completing internal assessments.
According to ISNA, parts of a report published by US outlet Axios regarding a possible breakthrough agreement between Tehran and Washington amounted to “media speculation.” The agency added that Iran’s negotiating team remained focused on “ending the war completely.”
The report also said nuclear issues “were not under discussion at this stage” of negotiations.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency separately reported that Tehran had not formally responded because several provisions in the US proposal were viewed as unacceptable.
Baghaei had earlier said during a Monday press conference that Washington continued to present “unreasonable demands,” despite ongoing diplomatic contacts through intermediaries.
He also addressed reports surrounding Iran’s reported “14-point initiative,” saying issues involving uranium enrichment and nuclear material remained speculative and had not reached any final understanding.
Hormuz, sanctions and inspections central to talks
Earlier Wednesday, Axios reported that Iran and the US were moving closer to a preliminary understanding that could halt the current conflict and open broader negotiations.
According to the report, the proposed memorandum would formally end hostilities and launch a 30-day negotiation process covering the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief.
Axios said discussions included a temporary moratorium on uranium enrichment, phased sanctions relief and expanded international inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, the report stressed that negotiators had not finalised any agreement.
The developments come as international concern grows over potential disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass. Energy markets have remained volatile amid fears that a prolonged conflict could trigger wider regional instability.
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Pakistan has not publicly disclosed details of its mediation role, but Iranian officials have repeatedly acknowledged that messages between Tehran and Washington were being exchanged through Pakistani channels.
Analysts say any temporary understanding between the two sides could help ease military tensions in the Gulf and stabilise global energy prices, though significant disagreements over Iran’s nuclear activities remain unresolved.
