Tehran calls for ‘dialogue’ as it reviews US peace proposal

                                                                     

Iran said it is reviewing a new US-backed proposal aimed at ending the conflict, while calling for “dialogue and diplomacy” as negotiations continue through Pakistani mediation.

According to reports, the proposed framework would seek a phased end to hostilities, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a broader negotiation process on sanctions and nuclear issues. However, Tehran has signaled major reservations, saying several US demands remain unacceptable. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly stressed the need for diplomacy during talks with Pakistan’s foreign minister, while Iranian officials emphasized that any current negotiations are focused on ending the war rather than dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. 

US President Donald Trump said talks with Tehran had been “very good” and suggested a deal was “very possible,” though he also warned of renewed military action if negotiations fail. 

                                                                             

Key sticking points reportedly include:

• Iran’s uranium enrichment program

• The future of Iran’s missile capabilities

• Sanctions relief

• Control and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz

• Tehran’s regional alliances and proxy groups 

Iranian lawmakers and officials have criticized the draft proposal as overly favorable to Washington, with one lawmaker calling it “more of an American wish-list than a reality.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reiterated that “dialogue and diplomacy” remain the preferred path as Tehran reviews a reported US 14-point proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. The proposal is being discussed through Pakistani mediation, and Araghchi spoke with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar about regional diplomacy and de-escalation efforts. 

                                                                             

At the same time, US President Donald Trump said the US had held “very good talks” with Iran and suggested “it’s very possible we’ll make a deal.” Reports indicate Washington is awaiting Tehran’s formal response to the framework proposal. 

According to Reuters and other outlets, the draft framework reportedly focuses on:

• halting hostilities,

• easing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz,

• and opening a short negotiation window for broader talks. 

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However, Iranian officials have signaled caution. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran is still reviewing the proposal and has not yet reached a final decision. 

Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh is expressing a long-standing position within parts of the Iranian strategic establishment: that the presence of US military forces in the Gulf increases instability from Iran’s perspective. The argument is that American bases in countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates provide staging grounds for surveillance, deterrence, and potentially military action against Iran.

At the same time, the issue is highly complex:

• Gulf Arab governments have generally viewed the US military presence as a security guarantee against regional threats, including concerns about Iran’s missile program, naval activity, and regional alliances.

• The United States argues its bases support maritime security, counterterrorism operations, and protection of energy shipping routes.

• Iran and several regional analysts contend that foreign military deployments intensify tensions and encourage confrontation.

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In practical terms, a complete closure of US bases across the Gulf would be difficult in the near term because:

• Many host countries have long-term defense agreements with Washington.

• Gulf states often balance relations with both Washington and Tehran rather than fully aligning with either side.

• Regional security architecture has been built around US partnerships for decades.

However, there has been a broader regional trend toward de-escalation in recent years, including renewed diplomatic engagement between Iran and Saudi Arabia after the China-brokered rapprochement in 2023. Some analysts see that as creating space for discussions about reducing military tensions and expanding regional security cooperation without necessarily removing all foreign forces.

So Gholamzadeh’s comments reflect a real strategic objective discussed in Iran, but whether it is achievable depends largely on the policies and security calculations of Gulf Arab states and the United States.