WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump discussed a proposal from Iran with his national security team on Monday, the White House said, as Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts continue to resolve tensions between Washington and Tehran.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the proposal was reviewed during a meeting, but stopped short of saying the United States was formally considering it.
“The president’s red lines, with respect to Iran, have been made very, very clear, not just to the American public but to them as well,” she said during a press briefing.
“I wouldn’t say they’re considering it. I would just say that there was a discussion this morning that I don’t want to get ahead of,” she added, noting that Trump would address the issue “very soon”.
.@PressSec: “@POTUS‘ red lines with respect to Iran have been made very, very clear, not just to the American public, but also to them as well.” pic.twitter.com/IN3BmXgLkc
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 27, 2026
Leavitt said that Trump met his national security team earlier in the day.
According to earlier reports by Axios and CBS News, citing sources, Iran has suggested reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping in exchange for the United States lifting its naval blockade on Iranian ports and vessels.
Leavitt said the proposal was being discussed but declined to provide further details.
“The meeting may be ongoing, maybe not, but the proposal was being discussed,” she said, reiterating that Washington’s position remains unchanged.
Sources cited by CBS News said the Iranian proposal did not include provisions related to Tehran’s nuclear programme, leaving that issue for future negotiations.
‘Sensitive diplomatic discussions’
Earlier, the White House said that negotiations would not be conducted publicly.
“These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the US will not negotiate through the press,” Assistant White House Press Secretary Olivia Wales told CBS News.
“As the President has said, the United States holds the cards and will only make a deal that puts the American people first, never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” she added.
Rubio says Iran ‘serious’ about deal
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News that Iran appeared willing to engage, but stressed that any deal must address nuclear concerns.
“I think they are serious about getting themselves out of the mess that they’re in,” Rubio said in an interview with Fox News.
He pointed to Iran’s economic difficulties, including inflation, wage pressures and the impact of sanctions.
“All the problems that Iran had before the start of this conflict are still in place, and most of them are worse,” he said.
“We have to ensure that any deal that is made … definitively prevents them from sprinting towards a nuclear weapon at any point,” he added.
Iran looking into Trump’s call for talks
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was considering a request from President Trump for negotiations.
“The US has not achieved a single goal. That’s why President Trump is asking for negotiations, and we’re considering it,” Araghchi said after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, according to Russian state media.
Pakistan-led diplomacy continues
Meanwhile, Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to resume the peace talks between the US and Iran and secure regional peace.
Earlier this month, Pakistan hosted the first round of high-stakes US-Iran talks in Islamabad which concluded without an agreement but paved the way for diplomacy to resolve the conflict through negotiations.
On Monday, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting with senior officials, including Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, to review the latest regional situation, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.
Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to playing a constructive role through dialogue and diplomacy to promote regional peace and stability.
DPM/ FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired a meeting with Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch @AmnaBaloch4 and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review the latest regional developments.
The DPM/FM reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continue playing… pic.twitter.com/uVJM2LjNiq
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 27, 2026
Meanwhile, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty briefed Deputy PM Dar on Cairo’s outreach with regional and international partners regarding the US-Iran peace process, the Foreign Office said.
The Egyptian minister appreciated Pakistan’s continued efforts to advance dialogue, while both sides stressed the importance of sustained engagement to support peace and stability in the region and beyond.
DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke this evening with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty @MFAEgOfficial, to exchange views on latest developments in the regional situation.
The Egyptian FM appreciated DPM/FM’s efforts and Pakistan’s continued role in… pic.twitter.com/On1DmlZ4m4
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 27, 2026
Britain’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also spoke to Dar, commending Pakistan’s facilitation role and emphasising the need for continued diplomatic engagement, according to the Foreign Office.
The UK Foreign Secretary appreciated Pakistan’s facilitation and continued efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy.
Pakistan and the UK underscored the importance of sustained engagement for peace and stability in the region and beyond.
DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke this evening with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper @YvetteCooperMP.
They discussed latest developments in the regional situation.
The UK Foreign Secretary appreciated Pakistan’s facilitation and continued efforts to… pic.twitter.com/dDyv4f1GtF
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 27, 2026
Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister Dar also held a telephonic conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand during which the two leaders discussed ongoing peace efforts to end the US-Iran conflict.
“They discussed the latest developments in the region and ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability,” the Foreign Office said.
Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s continued commitment to dialogue and diplomacy.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand @AnitaAnandMP.
They discussed the latest developments in the region and ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability. DPM/FM reiterated Pakistan’s… pic.twitter.com/EbbKY5rkdz
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 27, 2026
Diplomacy remains active
The Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to Russia follows trips to Pakistan, where mediators have been working to facilitate dialogue and reduce tensions in the region.
Iranian officials say Foreign Minister Araghchi’s regional outreach is part of a broader effort to transform ongoing contacts into a more structured dialogue.
Messages exchanged through intermediaries have outlined Tehran’s positions on core issues, including maritime security and nuclear policy, signalling that communication channels remain active.
Syed Mohammad Ali, an independent political analyst in Pakistan, said indirect talks between the US and Iran were continuing to move forward, despite President Trump’s decision not to send envoys to discussions that had been scheduled to begin this weekend.
“The delay in the second round of Islamabad talks must not be seen as a setback to ceasefire negotiations and peace efforts, which remain on track,” Ali told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Ali noted that longstanding tensions between Washington and Tehran cannot be resolved overnight, emphasising that the negotiation process “requires wisdom and patience from both sides.”
“This is a sensitive and complicated process, and there will be ups and downs, which are normal in such matters. But the good thing is that the ceasefire is holding, and both sides have a desire to end the conflict in a way that does not backfire at home,” Ali said.
Trump has also indicated openness to continued engagement, suggesting that talks could proceed through direct or indirect channels.
Discussions have additionally focused on safeguarding key global trade routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the shared interest in regional stability and economic continuity.
