Iran proposes ceasefire-focused talks in reply to US peace proposal

TEHRAN – Iran has formally delivered its response to a US proposal aimed at ending the more than two-month war, according to the state news agency IRNA, as diplomacy accelerates alongside continued volatility across the Gulf.

IRNA reported on Sunday that Iran passed its reply to Pakistan, which is acting as mediator in the talks. Citing a source familiar with the matter, the agency said Tehran’s proposal envisages the current phase of negotiations focusing exclusively on “the cessation of hostilities in the region.”

Diplomatic sources on both sides have told Reuters that the emerging framework under discussion would take the form of a temporary memorandum of understanding to halt the war and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while leaving more contentious issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, for later negotiations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier said Washington expected Iran’s response within hours, while US President Donald Trump has indicated he still expects an answer “very soon.”

The diplomatic push comes against a backdrop of renewed security incidents across the region. The United Arab Emirates said its air defences intercepted two drones launched from Iran on Sunday, the latest in a string of attacks after a brief lull following a US-announced ceasefire. Iran has denied involvement in recent strikes on the UAE but has warned of a “crushing response” if any operations are launched from Emirati territory against it. The UAE has temporarily shifted schools to remote learning in response to the security environment, though authorities confirmed a return to in-person classes from Monday.

In Kuwait, the army said it detected and neutralised several hostile drones in its airspace at dawn on Sunday, describing the incidents as part of a wider pattern of spillover linked to the Iran conflict. The Gulf state has previously reported drone incursions, including strikes on northern border posts and attempted attacks on infrastructure. While overall hostilities have eased since the ceasefire took effect in April, cross-border drone activity from Iraq has continued to unsettle Gulf airspace.

Maritime security has also remained under pressure. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a bulk carrier was struck by a projectile northeast of Doha, causing a small fire that was quickly extinguished. There were no casualties or environmental damage, and investigations are ongoing into the source of the attack. The incident adds to growing concern over shipping risks in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy artery that has seen repeated disruption during the conflict.

Relative calm was reported early on Sunday around the strait itself, although tensions remain high following recent naval encounters and intermittent attacks. Iran has continued to assert control over aspects of maritime access, while signalling both deterrence and conditional openness to negotiated arrangements.

In a further indication of Iran’s military posture, the head of its unified armed forces command met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and received what state-linked Fars news described as “new guiding measures to pursue military operations and firmly confront adversaries.”

Commander Ali Abdollahi was quoted as saying: “The armed forces are ready to confront any action by the American-Zionist (Israeli) enemies. In case of any error by the enemy, Iran’s response will be swift, severe, and decisive.” The report did not specify when the meeting took place.

Regional diplomacy has intensified in parallel. Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told Iran’s foreign minister in a phone call that using the Strait of Hormuz as “a pressure tool” would only deepen instability in the Gulf. He also urged all parties to engage seriously with mediation efforts aimed at ending the war, according to Qatar’s foreign ministry.

Shipping signals suggest cautious attempts to stabilise tensions. A Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker was tracked heading toward the Strait of Hormuz en route to Pakistan, according to LSEG data, in what sources said was an Iran-approved movement intended to build confidence with mediators Qatar and Pakistan. If completed, it would mark the first Qatari LNG transit through the strait since the outbreak of the war.

The United States continues to push for a structured pause in fighting. Washington is seeking what officials describe as a first-stage agreement to formally halt hostilities before wider negotiations begin. However, a US official cited intelligence suggesting Iran could withstand economic pressure from a blockade for months, raising questions about the effectiveness of US leverage. A senior intelligence official has rejected those claims as inaccurate.

President Trump has said the ceasefire framework remains in place despite sporadic flare-ups, while Iran has accused the US of violating it. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said: “Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the US opts for a reckless military adventure.”

International coordination efforts are also emerging around maritime security. Britain has announced the pre-positioning of a warship for a potential multinational mission to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow, working alongside French planning for a broader coalition-based approach. France has also deployed naval assets to the southern Red Sea as part of parallel contingency efforts.

As Iran’s response is now formally on the table, the region remains caught between intensifying diplomatic engagement and persistent military risk. Drone strikes across Gulf states, naval incidents near key shipping lanes, and unresolved disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme all underscore how fragile the situation remains, even as mediators push for a temporary framework that could open the door to wider negotiations.