Mediators pursue U.S.-Iran deal as nuclear differences persist

Mediators are working with the United States and Iran on a proposal intended to end the fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to five officials briefed on the negotiations. No agreement has been reached, and the sides remain divided over nuclear commitments and the sequence of any steps. Three regional officials and two U.S. officials described the behind-the-scenes effort, which continued after President Donald Trump rejected an initial Iranian proposal. That proposal offered to reopen the strait within seven days if Washington lifted its blockade of Iranian ports, released frozen Iranian assets and eased sanctions on Iranian oil sales, among other conditions. An official briefed on the negotiations separately said mediators could hold discussions with the two countries as early as Monday or Tuesday, focused on an amended version of Iran’s proposal. The talks were described as anticipated, not confirmed as having taken place. Iranian state media, citing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Qatari mediators on Monday about the latest discussions. U.N.