Iran Sends Nuclear Proposal to US as Trump Threatens New Strikes
Tehran delivered new demands via Qatari mediators while President Donald Trump signaled a return to full-scale military operations against the Islamic republic.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday that the United States may have to destroy the rest of Iran. He stated that people would know soon enough if he acts. The remarks came as Axios reported that US Central Command is preparing for renewed major operations and awaits orders from Washington. This diplomatic and military posture follows Iran’s downing of two US reconnaissance drones near Qeshm island in the Strait of Hormuz. American forces struck the area earlier this week in response.
The conflict escalated after the US and Israel conducted a 40-day campaign of strikes earlier this year. Tehran’s natural gas refineries were hit during the most intense phase of that campaign. Since February, control of the Strait of Hormuz has remained a central sticking point in negotiations. The waterway normally carries about one-fifth of global oil supplies. The US has blockaded Iranian ports and escorted tankers through the area while Iran maintains tight control over shipping.
Iran delivered a new nuclear and peace proposal to the US through Qatari mediators on Thursday. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the document would only be discussed after Washington meets Tehran's seven demands. The US is currently examining the proposal. Those demands include the lifting of sanctions, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, and an end to the US naval blockade. Tehran insists it will not reopen the strait or restart nuclear talks until these conditions are met.
Washington maintains a different position. The US insists that any ceasefire must include a deal on Iran's nuclear capacity before wider talks can begin. Iran has warned it will retaliate on a wider scale than before if war resumes. A spokesman for the Supreme Advisor to the Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force said on Thursday that any country or force helping America attack Iran can be a legitimate target. State outlet Tasnim News reported that Iranian missile bases have a suitable range to target the Zionist regime and American bases.
Iran deepened ties with Russia on Thursday by dispatching top security official Mohsen Rezaei to the Kremlin. Rezaei delivered a message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Iranian embassy described the meeting as an extremely important exchange. Rezaei restated that Iran will neither open the Strait of Hormuz nor negotiate until its seven conditions are executed. The two sides also discussed building gas pipelines from Russia to Iran to ease gas shortages and facilitate Russian energy sales to neighbors.
The Financial Times reported that Russia agreed to supply Iran with 90 helicopter-mounted launchers for precision-guided missiles. This deal reflects deepening relations between the two heavily sanctioned countries since 2022. Iran has supplied Shahed drones for use in Ukraine, while Russia has helped Tehran develop supersonic cruise missiles. Nicole Grajewski of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted that the deal shows Russia's willingness to continue supplying Iran despite its own wartime demands.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held phone calls on Thursday with Gulf counterparts. He spoke with leaders from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkiye, Oman, and Qatar. The calls covered regional stability and de-escalation. Oman stated that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz was a main topic. Iran continues to grant exemptions to Iraq, Qatar, India, and China. Trump's warnings come despite his Republican Party's heavy losses in this week's midterm elections, which were driven by public anger over the war and rising energy prices.
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke with Trump on Friday about Doha-led mediation. The Qatari Emiri Diwan said the goal is to reach a comprehensive agreement that puts an end to the crisis. US forces have conducted defensive strikes on Qeshm island and Bandar Lengeh in recent days. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps navy said at least seven tankers caught fire after hitting mines in the strait this week. The group said two of those tankers were crossing with American military support on Friday. Maritime organizations have not confirmed the incidents.
