Negotiators face huge task to close gaps in rival Iran peace proposals
As the clock ticked toward a self-imposed deadline, and amid a dramatic threat to erase Iran’s “civilisation,” US President Donald Trump declared a two-week ceasefire to pause the conflict. The talks, set to take place in Islamabad, will bring together American and Iranian representatives, potentially beginning as early as Friday. Despite this pause, significant disputes persist, beginning with the core terms of the agreement. In a post on Truth Social, Trump highlighted that Iran had submitted a 10-point framework, which he deemed “a workable basis on which to negotiate.” Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted the US had presented a 15-point plan, claimed to offer a path to ending the war.
Both proposals remain unofficial, though leaked versions have circulated widely. These documents appear to differ greatly in their expectations for resolving the crisis. The White House has dismissed media reports of the Iranian plan as not reflecting the “working framework” received by US officials. Anwar Gargash, a senior diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, emphasized the need to clarify discrepancies. “There are different statements coming out of Iran, from Washington and from the Pakistani mediator,” he said. “So, we need to reconcile the details of these statements and understand exactly what the way forward is.”
Key issues under discussion
The claim that Iran was accelerating its nuclear weapons program has long been a cornerstone of Washington’s justification for the conflict. Although Tehran has consistently denied such allegations, the US insists that enough damage has been inflicted since last year’s 12-day war and recent attacks to hinder Iran’s ability to rebuild a nuclear threat. However, questions linger about the 440kg of highly enriched uranium Iran still holds. Trump has referred to this material as “dust,” reportedly buried under the rubble of the Nuclear Technology/Research Centre in Isfahan after last year’s attacks.
“Their dust is deeply buried and watched 24/7,” US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters. “There will be no Iranian nuclear weapons. Period. Full stop.”
Iran insists any resolution must recognize its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, as outlined in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Oman, which had previously mediated between the two sides, suggested a feasible agreement was already on the table. Yet, the US’s demands remain clear: dismantling major nuclear facilities, halting uranium enrichment within Iran, removing stockpiles from the country, and accepting rigorous international inspections.
While Trump’s 15-point proposal is firm, the exact wording from Hegseth hints at a slightly more flexible approach. “Iran would never have a nuclear weapon or the capability to get a path to one,” Hegseth stated, leaving room for interpretation. The plan also calls for Iran to halt ballistic missile development, cease production of long-range missiles, and stop transferring drones and military equipment to regional allies. This aligns with Washington’s argument that Iran’s missile program had shielded its nuclear ambitions. The Pentagon asserts that 80% of Iran’s missile facilities, 80% of its air defence systems, and 90% of its weapons factories have been destroyed.
Iran’s recent agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz signals a strategic shift, suggesting pressures on global trade might begin to ease. However, the country has historically resisted imposing limits on its missile programme. With the conflict’s aftermath unfolding, it remains uncertain whether Tehran will accept curbs on its military capabilities as part of a lasting deal.
