[ANALYSIS] Iranian War Day 83: Trump says Iran talks in “final stages”, Pakistan’s Army Chief is to travel to Tehran

OVERVIEW

• Trump said negotiations with Iran were in the “final stages”, but warned the US could get “a little bit nasty” if no agreement is reached.
• Pakistan’s Army Chief is to travel to Tehran on Thursday as part of mediation efforts between the US and Iran.
• Washington reportedly sent revised text through Pakistani mediators after Iran submitted its 14-point proposal.
• Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Iran is pursuing talks "in good faith" but views US with "deep suspicion", and confirmed multiple rounds of messages have been exchanged through Pakistani intermediaries based on the 14-point proposal.
• Trump reportedly told Netanyahu mediators were working on a “letter of intent” to end the war and begin 30 days of talks.

NEGOTIATIONS / MEDIATION

• Pakistan’s Army Chief is to travel to Tehran on Thursday for negotiations and mediation efforts.
• Pakistani political and media circles said mediation efforts accelerated after Pakistan Interior Minister Naqvi’s Tehran meetings.
• Sources close to the negotiating team said Washington sent revised text through Pakistani mediators after Iran submitted its 14-point proposal.
• Iran is reviewing the revised proposal and has not yet responded.
• Iran confirmed multiple rounds of messages have been exchanged through Pakistani intermediaries based on the 14-point proposal.
• Pakistani mediation in Tehran is aimed at bringing the US and Iranian texts closer together.
• Reports said progress had been made on a possible memorandum of understanding and guiding principles, although significant gaps remain.
• Araghchi may attend a special UN Security Council meeting hosted by China in New York, subject to visa issuance and diplomatic priorities.

US COMMENTARY

• Trump said the US would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon and warned they may have to “hit Iran harder, maybe not.”
• Trump said Iran “wants to make a deal so badly”.
• Trump said if the US does not get the right answers from Iran, they will move quickly and require “complete 100% good answers”.
• Trump said it is worth waiting a couple of days if it can save war.
• Trump said they will not provide oil sanctions relief to Iran until an agreement is signed.
• US State Department said Trump prefers the diplomatic path and has kept the door open from the start.

IRAN COMMENTARY

• Iranian President Pezeshkian said Iran had honoured its commitments and explored every avenue to avoid war.
• Pezeshkian said forcing Iran to surrender through coercion is “nothing but an illusion”.
• Pezeshkian discussed the diplomatic track with Washington during talks with Pakistan’s Interior Minister and stressed the importance of continuing dialogue.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said Iran had always protected safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and was prepared to develop shipping protocols with other coastal states.
• Iran’s Foreign Ministry said exchanges with Washington were continuing based on Iran’s 14-point proposal.
• Iran said it approached negotiations with both “suspicion and good intentions”.
• Iran dismissed discussion of ultimatums or deadlines as “ridiculous”.
• Iran confirmed it had received the latest US views and was studying them.

ISRAEL

• Trump and Netanyahu reportedly held a tense call after the latest Iran peace proposal.
• Trump reportedly told Netanyahu mediators were working on a “letter of intent” to formally end the war and begin 30 days of talks.
• Israeli sources said Trump and Netanyahu disagreed on the path forward.
• Netanyahu urged Trump to maintain military pressure on Iran.
• An Israeli official said Trump remained inclined to support a strike on Iran while leaving a narrow window for negotiations.
• Israel is reportedly preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting.
• Israeli assessments suggested Khamenei would ultimately reject any compromise.

MILITARY RHETORIC

• Iranian officials warned they are ready to use new weapons if the US commits another act of aggression.
• Iran said it has advanced weapons that have not yet been used or tested on the battlefield.
• IRGC said forces are ready to respond to any enemy aggression, with “fingers on the trigger”.
• Deputy IRGC Navy warned the IRGC Navy will send the US “to the bottom of the sea”.
• Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli forces and artillery in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon.