Iran Proposal Puts Hormuz First and Delays the Nuclear File

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published April 26, 2026

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Iran has submitted a new proposal to the United States through Pakistani mediators aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war, according to Axios. Reuters also reported the Axios account, citing a U.S. official and two sources familiar with the matter.

The proposal would delay nuclear negotiations to a later stage and focus first on reopening the strait and lifting the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.

The move appears to separate the immediate maritime crisis from the more complex nuclear file, giving priority to de-escalation and the flow of shipping through one of the world’s most sensitive energy routes.

The proposal comes as talks between Washington and Tehran remain stalled. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet with senior national security and foreign policy officials to discuss the current situation and possible next steps.

There has been no announcement of a final agreement. It also remains unclear whether Washington would accept separating the Hormuz issue from nuclear negotiations, especially as the White House continues to emphasize that any deal must protect U.S. security and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The significance of the proposal lies in its attempt to shift the first stage of negotiations from the nuclear file to maritime security and energy flows. If accepted, it could open a temporary path to de-escalation. But it would not resolve the deeper disputes between Washington and Tehran; it would only postpone them.

For now, the proposal remains a diplomatic opening rather than a confirmed agreement. Its success will depend on whether mediators can turn it into practical steps, and whether both sides are willing to offer guarantees on shipping, de-escalation, and the return to broader negotiations.