The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared a new maritime control area in the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported. Tasnim News Agency said the IRGC’s so-called “smart control” zone spans from Mount Mobarak in Iran southward toward the area south of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, and from the end of Qeshm Island westward toward Umm Al Quwain in the UAE.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that Tehran has received a U.S. counter-proposal aimed at ending the conflict and that officials are reviewing it, Al Jazeera reported. Baghaei said the message was relayed through Pakistan but declined to discuss details while the proposal is under consideration. He criticized the U.S. approach as making “excessive and unreasonable demands,” which he said complicates Iran’s assessment.
Baghaei also dismissed media accounts of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program as “mostly speculation,” saying suggestions about enrichment or nuclear materials were conjectural. He emphasized that Iran’s priority is “stopping the war completely” and that no decisions on next steps have been made.
Al Jazeera noted the exchange was mediated by Islamabad and warned that the region remains on high alert for potential escalation.
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that his representatives were having “very positive” talks with Tehran and suggested those discussions could produce “something very positive for all.” U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff told CNN from Trump’s Doral golf club that Washington “is in conversation” with Iran.
Those remarks contrasted with earlier comments from Trump criticizing Iran’s offer. He said he “can’t imagine” accepting the proposal because Iran had not “paid a big enough price.” The Times of Israel reported Trump told a Kan News correspondent the offer was “not acceptable,” adding that the regional military campaign “is going great.” He did not specify which elements he opposed.
Baghaei told Iranian state television that Tehran’s submission to mediators was a 14-point proposal focused solely on ending the conflict and not on nuclear issues. He denied reports that the proposal included mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, calling such claims fabricated by some outlets, and reiterated that “Iran rejects negotiations under ultimatum and deadline,” according to Tasnim.
This account is based on syndicated reports and was published as received; the Tribune has not independently verified every detail and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the original feed.
