US and Iran remain divided over nuclear terms and sequencing of proposed truce

Iran and the United States continued indirect negotiations over a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the conflict, but remained divided over nuclear concessions and the order in which each side would act.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Qatari mediators in New York on Monday and said they would relay ideas to Washington. Iran’s plan calls for the release of frozen Iranian funds, sanctions relief and an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. Tehran says those measures could be completed within days, followed by the reopening of the strait and negotiations on a broader agreement, including Iran’s nuclear programme.

President Donald Trump rejected the proposal on Saturday as “unacceptable”. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Iran was seeking extensive relief before substantive negotiations and that Washington was not confident Tehran was negotiating in good faith.

An unnamed US official told Al Jazeera that talks remained “positive and constructive” but said there would be no agreement unless nuclear issues were addressed. The official said Trump was willing to ease sanctions and release frozen funds in exchange for nuclear progress, adding that Iran had shown flexibility but the sides remained apart over timing and which party would move first.

Separate reports said Iran had offered to halt uranium enrichment in return for sanctions relief and access to frozen assets. Araghchi said diplomacy remained possible, while warning that Iran was also prepared for renewed fighting.