Washington, DC — The White House has confirmed that Nick Stewart will join the diplomatic team negotiating an end to the conflict with Iran as an adviser, CBS News reported. Olivia Wales, a White House spokesperson, described Stewart as a “sharp, seasoned policy expert” who will be a key addition to the delegation led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Wales highlighted Stewart’s extensive Iran experience, including positions at the State Department during the first Trump administration and work on Capitol Hill.
U.S. officials told CBS News that Jared Kushner helped arrange Stewart’s role. Stewart most recently worked with the lobbying arm of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, an organization known for advocating a tougher U.S. posture toward Tehran.
The staffing change comes after Tehran formally replied to a U.S.-backed nine-point peace proposal. Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran submitted a more detailed 14-point plan through Pakistani mediators, setting out conditions to move from a temporary cease-fire toward a permanent settlement. The U.S. had proposed a two-month truce; according to the Iranian reply, Tehran rejected a long-term ceasefire as presented and asked that core disputes be resolved within 30 days.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he would review Iran’s submission but expressed skepticism about Tehran’s motives, saying Iran “has not yet paid a big enough price” for decades of actions and that it was difficult to imagine the plan being acceptable. He warned that further military action remained possible if talks fail and said mediators would provide him with the exact wording of the proposal.
Tasnim described Iran’s 14-point framework as addressing tensions across multiple regional theaters, including Lebanon. The plan reportedly calls for security guarantees to prevent future strikes on Iran, withdrawal of U.S. forces from neighboring areas, an end to naval blockades, release of frozen assets, and compensation for sanctions and military pressure. Economically, Tehran demands a full lifting of U.S. and international sanctions and proposes a mechanism to manage passage through the Strait of Hormuz to safeguard oil transit.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the proposal aims to “permanently end the imposed war,” adding that “the ball is in America’s court” and framing the choice as diplomacy or confrontation. Iranian officials indicated they are interested in reaching an agreement, though President Trump reiterated doubts about Iran’s leadership, calling it “very disjointed.”
While Tehran awaits a formal U.S. diplomatic response, it continues to face the conflict’s economic consequences. TankerTrackers.com reported that a National Iranian Tanker Company VLCC, identified as “HUGE,” evaded the U.S. Navy while en route to the Asia-Pacific region carrying more than 1.9 million barrels of crude—valued at nearly $220 million. The vessel was last seen off Sri Lanka and transiting Indonesia’s Lombok Strait; it had reportedly stopped transmitting AIS signals since March 20 after leaving the Strait of Malacca for Iran.
Iranian state media have claimed that at least 52 ships breached the American blockade. U.S. officials counter that the blockade is effective, costing Tehran billions by severely curbing its ability to export oil, forcing crude into storage until capacity runs out and production must be halted.
(This report is based on syndicated content and news agency reporting.)
