Iran "U.S. proposal under review... will convey position to Pakistan"

Strait of Hormuz

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced on the 6th (local time) that Iran is still reviewing the U.S. proposal for an end to the war, according to Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency.

In an interview with ISNA, spokesperson Baghaei stated, "Iran is still reviewing the U.S. plans and proposals, and will convey Iran's consolidated position to Pakistan."

In this regard, ISNA added, "It is noteworthy that recent U.S. media outlets have been attempting to cover up the failure of the U.S. President's 'Project Freedom' by spreading speculation and fake news, thereby creating an atmosphere favorable to Trump and the U.S."

ISNA pointed out, "The American media outlet Axios reported some details of an agreement under review between the U.S. and Iran, which included unreasonable and unrealistic proposals that our authorities recently strongly rejected."

It also reported, "Some of Axios's reports are for media speculation and creating an atmosphere, and we have received reliable information that what the Iranian negotiating team is discussing is the issue of 'ending the war,' and the nuclear issue is not a subject of discussion at the current stage of negotiations."

This is noteworthy as it draws a line against observations that the U.S. and Iran are close to reaching an agreement to end the war.

The Axios report mentioned by ISNA claimed that the U.S. and Iran were close to signing a "1-page" Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining a framework to end the war and resolve the nuclear issue.

The MOU was reportedly to include a temporary halt (moratorium) on Iran's nuclear enrichment, the lifting of U.S. sanctions against Iran and the release of some frozen funds, the gradual lifting of restrictions on Iran's passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and the gradual lifting of the U.S. maritime blockade against Iran.

The U.S. White House is reportedly awaiting Iran's response on key issues within 48 hours.