Overview
- Iran said on Wednesday that it is "examining" a U.S. proposal delivered through Pakistani mediators but gave no commitment to accept key U.S. demands such as unfrozen assets or an end to port blockades.
- President Donald Trump has issued a short public ultimatum, saying he will give Tehran "two or three days" for an answer and threatening to resume strikes if negotiations fail.
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it would widen the war "well beyond the region" and deliver "devastating blows" if the United States or Israel attacks Iran again.
- Pakistan has stepped up high-level mediation with multiple visits by its interior minister and the army chief to Tehran as Washington and Tehran press for a deal behind closed doors.
- Control of the Strait of Hormuz is a central leverage point: Tehran has created an authority to supervise the waterway and propose passage fees while markets eased on hopes of a deal but remain vulnerable to renewed disruption.