US and Iran Exchange Proposals to Extend Ceasefire Amid Regional Tensions

Pakistan Continues Mediation Between US and Iran as Ceasefire Holds

Tehran:  The United States and Iran are continuing to exchange proposals aimed at ending the war that erupted more than two months ago, amid relative calm following days of intermittent clashes.

Washington is awaiting Tehran’s response to its latest proposals after US President Donald Trump affirmed that the ceasefire announced on 7 April remains in effect.

The conflict has disrupted energy markets, trade routes and maritime shipping, increasing concerns over its impact on the global economy.

Pakistan reaffirmed its continued mediation efforts between Iran and the United States to reach a permanent end to the conflict, which began following a US-Israeli attack on Iran on 28 February.

According to diplomatic sources, Washington submitted a proposal through Pakistani mediators to extend the ceasefire and create conditions for negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in remarks to Iranian state television that the proposal remains under review.

US media reports said the proposal includes lifting the naval blockade on Iranian ports, restoring maritime security in the Middle East and agreeing on a framework for negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

In a related development, the UK Ministry of Defence announced the deployment of the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to the Middle East as part of an international mission to protect maritime navigation in the region.

The ministry described the mission as “purely defensive and independent”.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in coordination with French President Emmanuel Macron, had previously stated that the maritime protection mission would begin following the end of hostilities in the region.

HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, is among Britain’s most advanced naval vessels and specialises in air and missile defence.

The UK Ministry of Defence said the deployment forms part of contingency planning to enable British forces to participate immediately in any multinational defensive mission in the Middle East if required.

Last month, representatives from 51 countries participated in talks focused on protecting commercial shipping in the region.

Meanwhile, the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel remains under strain amid continued daily exchanges of fire.

Following ambassadorial-level talks in Washington, President Trump announced a ceasefire that entered into force on 17 April. The truce was initially set for ten days before being extended for an additional three weeks after a second round of talks at the White House.