Iran Submits Formal Response to US Peace Proposal via Pakistani Mediators

Tehran has formally submitted its response to a United States peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, according to Iranian state media. The response was delivered through Pakistani mediators, who previously brokered a ceasefire between the two nations in early April. While specific details of Tehran's reply were not disclosed, Iran’s IRNA news agency emphasized that current negotiations are focused exclusively on the cessation of hostilities in the region. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated that prioritizing the end of the war is a concern for the nation, the region, and the international community. This development follows multiple exchanged proposals since the April 8 ceasefire, which U.S. President Donald Trump maintains is still in effect despite continued exchanges of fire. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously expressed hope that Iran’s upcoming proposal would facilitate a serious negotiation process. The backdrop to these diplomatic efforts includes recent violence, such as an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, highlighting the broader regional instability accompanying the direct tensions between Washington and Tehran.