US-Iran Deal Hangs in Balance as Secret 14-Point Proposal Raises Hopes of Ending Conflict

A fragile diplomatic breakthrough may be emerging between the United States and Iran after Tehran confirmed it is still reviewing a major American proposal reportedly aimed at ending the conflict and reopening negotiations over its nuclear programme.

The proposal, described by US media as a confidential 14-point memorandum of understanding, has sparked intense speculation that Washington and Tehran could be moving closer to a historic agreement after months of escalating tensions, military threats and economic pressure.

According to reports, the White House believes a framework deal could soon be within reach. The document is said to include a temporary suspension of Iranian nuclear enrichment, the easing of US sanctions and guarantees to restore secure shipping through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

President Donald Trump signalled growing optimism, declaring that the US had held “very good talks with Iran in the last 24 hours” and insisting that a deal remained possible despite deep mistrust between the two longtime rivals.

Iran, however, responded cautiously. A senior Iranian parliamentarian reportedly dismissed the American proposal as little more than a “wish list,” reflecting divisions inside Tehran over how far the country should compromise under Western pressure. At the same time, Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed that its position would be communicated through Pakistani mediators, indicating that diplomatic channels remain active behind the scenes.

Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary in the high-stakes negotiations. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Islamabad was working to transform the current ceasefire efforts into a “permanent end to this war,” underscoring fears that any collapse in talks could trigger a wider regional confrontation.

The reported memorandum has not been officially released, and both American and Iranian officials have remained publicly guarded about its details. However, Reuters cited sources familiar with the mediation process who confirmed that discussions around the proposal were taking place, lending credibility to earlier reports published by Axios.

While significant obstacles remain, the latest developments suggest that both sides may be searching for a face-saving path away from confrontation. Any agreement would likely reshape the balance of power in the Middle East, ease pressure on global energy markets and mark one of the most consequential diplomatic openings between Washington and Tehran in years.