US President Donald Trump stated that a recent Iranian counter-proposal to conclude the conflict was “entirely unacceptable,” while Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson characterized its suggested terms as “fair.”
Representatives from both nations initially convened in Pakistan for peace talks precisely a month prior. Here’s an overview of what has transpired with the discussions since that time:
April 11: US and Iranian representatives engage in direct discussions in Islamabad, Pakistan, spanning 21 hours.
April 12: US Vice President JD Vance states that the parties have “not come to a consensus,” primarily due to Iran’s unwillingness to give up its nuclear program. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the head of the Iranian negotiating team, claims the US could not earn the Iranian side’s trust.
April 13: The US enforces a blockade on Iranian ports, while a US official states that discussions between the US and Iran are ongoing.
April 17: Following Iran’s announcement of reopening the Strait of Hormuz due to a separate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Trump states that the US blockade of Iranian ports will persist until a comprehensive agreement to conclude the war is reached. Iran has stated it will reclose the strait if the blockade persists.
April 18: Iran announces that it will once again close the Strait of Hormuz, attributing the decision to the US for “violations of trust.” Trump states that discussions are still in progress. Ghalibaf states in an interview with state television that the US and Iran are “still distant from reaching a final agreement.”
April 19: Trump announces that US officials will visit Islamabad for another round of talks with Iran, whereas Iranian state media claims that Iran’s participation in Islamabad is unverified.
April 20: Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, states that “currently,” Iran has “no intentions for the upcoming round of talks.” Trump states it’s “very unlikely” he will prolong the ceasefire, which he claims will end in two days.
April 21: Trump states he anticipates continuing airstrikes on Iran if an agreement to prolong the ceasefire isn’t achieved by the following day. Pakistan’s information minister states he is still attempting to persuade Iran to join discussions. In the afternoon, Trump announces he will prolong the ceasefire until Iran presents a plan to resolve the conflict permanently.
April 25: In Islamabad, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds talks with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before departing the country in the evening. Trump states that he has called off a planned visit for the US delegation to Pakistan, citing “infighting” within Iran’s leadership.
April 27: State media outlet Fars of Iran states that Araghchi provided a list of Iran’s “red lines” to be communicated to the US during his visit to Pakistan. A source knowledgeable about the situation informs Xenix News that Iran has proposed a new plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, yet the status of discussions regarding essential US demands remains unclear. Sources inform Xenix News that Trump indicated he is unlikely to agree to the new proposal.
April 29: Trump states that he has turned down Iran’s offer to lift the US blockade and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that he requires assurances on restricting the Iranian nuclear program first. He also states that discussions to conclude the war with Iran are occurring “via telephone.”
May 1: Sources knowledgeable about the negotiation process inform Xenix News that Iran has submitted a proposal to Pakistani mediators, which Trump claims he in“notsatisfied” with. The US president states that his choices are to attempt to negotiate with Iran or “launch a massive attack on them.”
May 2: A high-ranking Iranian military official states that renewed hostilities with the US are “possible” following Trump’s dismissal of Iran’s suggestion. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency states that Tehran has provided a 14-point reply to a US proposal, while Trump remarks he will soon evaluate a new plan from Iran. He states that he “finds it hard to believe that it would be acceptable.”
May 3: Baghaei announces that the US has reacted to Iran’s proposal, and Tehran is assessing Washington’s response, while US special envoy Steve Witkoff informs Xenix News that his nation is “in discussion” with Iran. Trump declares that the US will start directing vessels through the Strait of Hormuz tomorrow and states his officials “are engaging in very constructive talks” with Iran.
May 4: Iran declares that “any foreign military force, particularly the invading American army … will face an attack” if they attempt to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz. Later in the day, Adm. Bradley Cooper, the head of US Central Command, informs reporters that the US and Iran have exchanged gunfire in the waterway. Trump refuses to indicate whether the ceasefire with Iran remains in place.
May 5: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims the “ceasefire is still in effect,” whereas US Secretary of State Marco Rubio states that the military operation initiated in February against Iran has concluded. Trump states that the operation to direct vessels through the Strait of Hormuz will be suspended, pointing to “significant advancement” in discussions with Iran.
May 6: Trump delivers another caution to Iran, stating that if a deal isn’t reached, the “bombing begins” at a “greater level and intensity than before.” A source knowledgeable about the negotiations informed Xenix News that the US and Iran are edging nearer to a consensus on a memorandum to conclude the conflict.for war damages. Baghaei says the counter-proposal was reasonable and generous, following Trump’s comments.
May 7: According to Iranian semi-official media, Baghaei states that his country is still considering “messages” from the US. Later in the day, US troops strike Iranian military sites that US Central Command claims aimed at US naval vessels. Trump states that the ceasefire remains in place.
May 9: According to the US State Department, Witkoff and Rubio engage with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
May 10: Iranian state media announces that the nation has delivered its reply to the recent US suggestion. Trump states on social media that Iran “has been playing games” with the US and the globe for “47 years,” and subsequently describes Iran’s latest peace offer as “totally unacceptable.”
May 11: Iranian state media states that Tehran’s counter-offer to the US involved acknowledgment of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz along with a request for compensation.
Xenix News Aileen Graef, Kit Maher, Sophia Saifi, Lauren Said-Moorhouse, Sophie Tanno, Kevin Liptak, Tim Lister, Aida Karimi, Riane Lumer, Alayna Treene, Elise Hammond, Nadeen Ebrahim, Adam Pourahmadi, Donald Judd, Alejandra Jaramillo, Mitchell McCluskey, Betsy Klein, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Nic Robertson, Max Saltman, Lex Harvey, Issy Ronald, Mostafa Salem, Natasha Bertrand, Isabelle D’Antonio, Billy Stockwell, Zachary Cohen, Aleena Fayaz, and Xiaoqian Lin were involved in this reporting.
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