Iran has sent its latest proposal to US via Pakistani mediators: Report

Iran has delivered a new proposal for talks with the United States through Pakistani mediators, state news agency IRNA reported on Friday. The report said the proposal was sent on Thursday. 

US President Donald Trump, however, told reporters that he was not satisfied with Iran's latest proposal for resolving the conflict and that negotiations were taking place by phone.

 

The development follows Iran’s absence from the last round of negotiations, held in Islamabad, aimed at ending the more than two-month-long conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Trump said on Sunday that Iran could reach out if it wanted to negotiate. 

Global oil prices, which have stayed above $100 per barrel, fell slightly after reports of a new proposal emerged.

 

 

The shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted global energy markets, cutting off about 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply and driving prices to record highs.

 

The blockade of this key shipping route has also raised fears of a potential economic slowdown. At the same time, the US Navy is preventing exports of Iranian crude.

 

Although a ceasefire has been in place since April 8, markets were unsettled by reports that US President Donald Trump was to be briefed on possible new military strikes aimed at forcing Iran into negotiations. These concerns briefly pushed oil prices to a four-year high on Thursday.

  Two senior Iranian officials told Reuters that Iran has activated its air defence systems and is preparing for a broad response if attacked. The officials, speaking anonymously, said Iran expects a short but intense US strike, possibly followed by action from Israel.