Here's What Iran Is Proposing Now

Iran is floating a shortcut out of its standoff with Washington—one that pointedly avoids negotiations about its nuclear program for now. According to reporting from Axios and the AP, Tehran has sent a proposal via Pakistani mediators to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz and extend or cement a ceasefire, while pushing any new nuclear negotiations to a later phase. The idea would allow oil to flow more freely through the strait, relieving pressure on Trump amid an affordability crisis at home exacerbated by rising gas prices, and at the same time end the US naval blockade, which is designed to deprive Iran of revenue from oil exports and also serves as leverage for Trump in nuclear discussions.

Trump is set to convene his national security team Monday to weigh next steps, though the AP reports he is unlikely to agree to the terms, which would effectively put the US back where it started before going to war on Feb. 28. On Sunday, Trump told Fox News he believed Iran would only be able to withstand a US blockade for a few more days. The White House confirms it has the proposal but declined to discuss details publicly, saying "the United States holds the cards and will only make a deal that puts the American people first, never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon." The US is pushing for Iran to remove its enriched uranium and end uranium enrichment for a decade or more.