CNN: Trump is unlikely to accept the Iranian proposal news

CNN quoted two sources as saying that President Donald Trump presented his views during his meeting with senior national security officials regarding the Iranian file, after Iran presented a new proposal aimed at ending the war.

The network also quoted another source as confirming that “Trump is unlikely to accept the Iranian proposal,” while American officials considered that reopening the Strait of Hormuz – without settling the enrichment issues – could cause Washington to lose an essential pressure tool in the negotiations, according to the source.

Reuters quoted an American official as saying that President Trump is not satisfied with a proposal presented by Iran because it does not address its nuclear program, noting that Trump had discussed the proposal – earlier – with his senior national security advisors.

CNN reported from informed sources that intense diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States are still continuing behind the scenes, while the New York Times explained that Iran intends – through its new proposal – to invest financially in the Strait of Hormuz after its reopening, by imposing transit fees or providing services to oil tankers.

According to what CNN reported from its sources, the ongoing talks are focused on reaching an interim agreement, and the first part – of any potential agreement – will focus on returning to the status quo before the war.

CNN added that the mediators are putting pressure on both sides to reach an agreement, “considering the next few days very crucial for the course of diplomatic efforts.”

The sources also made it clear that Washington and Tehran are not as far apart in their positions as it might seem, although a second round of direct talks between them has not yet been held in Pakistan.

Iranian sources said that the proposal stipulates postponing discussion of the nuclear file until after the end of the war and resolving disputes related to navigation in the Gulf, which is rejected by Washington, which stresses the need to address nuclear issues from the beginning.

Pakistani mediator sources reported that efforts to bring the two sides closer together are still continuing, despite the decline in hopes of reviving the peace process after Trump announced the cancellation of the visit of his special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to Islamabad.

Hormuz fees remain

As for the New York Times, it said – citing three Iranian officials – that the new proposal – which Tehran presented to Washington – focuses on opening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the US naval blockade as an entry point to ending the war, with nuclear negotiations taking place at a later stage.

The newspaper quoted informed Iranian officials as saying that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered the new proposal to Pakistan, after President Trump rejected an initial proposal the previous day.

The New York Times added that Iran made clear – in its new proposal – its intention to invest financially in the Strait of Hormuz after its opening, by imposing transit fees or providing services to oil tankers.

Iranian officials told the newspaper that Tehran wants to return to negotiations with Washington because the current situation is unsustainable, but only after the naval blockade is lifted.

Officials indicated that there are fears that stocks of basic foodstuffs will run out within a few weeks. They also reported that the government has already begun implementing emergency plans that adopt alternative routes, including transporting goods by truck via Pakistan and Turkey, and shipping smaller quantities from Russia via the Caspian Sea.

Yesterday, Monday, Axios reported from sources that Iran had put forward, through Pakistani mediators, a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, while postponing the nuclear negotiations to a later stage.

In a comment from the White House, its spokeswoman confirmed that these are “sensitive diplomatic discussions,” and that Washington “will not negotiate through the media,” and will only conclude an agreement that serves the interest of the American people, with an emphasis on preventing Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon.