Zarif Proposes Nuclear Caps for US Peace Deal

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on Tehran to declare victory and negotiate an end to the ongoing war with the United States, proposing limits on Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief and a nonaggression pact. In an article published Friday in Foreign Affairs, Zarif, a key architect of the 2015 nuclear agreement, argued that such a deal would halt hostilities, prevent escalation and address the mounting civilian and infrastructural toll after five weeks of conflict.

The proposal comes amid intense U.S. and Israeli strikes that have severely degraded Iran's military capabilities, including its missile production, air force, navy and air defenses. Iranian officials report the deaths of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior military and intelligence figures, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders. Iran has retaliated with direct attacks on Gulf states such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, launching hundreds of ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles that damaged infrastructure, including Dubai International Airport, the Burj Al...