Iran Offers Nuclear Oversight for Sanctions Relief Amid Regional Tensions

Iranian officials have indicated that a proposal presented to the United States and Iran includes the release of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for secret inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Additional sources suggest an announcement of a breakthrough in negotiation efforts is expected this week, with one official stating that "escalation in the region is unlikely at the moment." This report emerges as Pakistani Chief of Staff General Asim Munir visited Tehran, meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials to discuss mediation efforts and regional developments. During his visit, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told Munir that the U.S. must implement a seven-step plan to open the Strait of Hormuz to regain Iran's trust.

Meanwhile, other Iranian sources told Al Arabiya that Iran is deliberately delaying its response to the U.S. proposal to weaken President Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections. These officials cited concerns about renewed military action and deep distrust of the U.S. as reasons for Tehran's reluctance to reach a swift agreement. They also claimed Tehran believes the U.S. is prepared to resume hostilities to break the current stalemate and that Iran is preparing for Israel's potential involvement in the fighting.

U.S. Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins stated to Al Jazeera that Iran's attempts to target ships in the Strait of Hormuz stem from desperation, asserting that Washington and its regional partners maintain control of the strait, which remains fully open. He noted that 95% of ships have passed through successfully and that U.S. forces are prepared for threats. Hawkins added that hundreds of ships have passed safely despite ongoing Iranian aggression, and that U.S. forces have degraded the Revolutionary Guards' capabilities while sanctions remain in place, preventing Iranian exports and imports.

These details surfaced alongside a reported secret visit to Israel by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegeman. Hegeman met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at an air force base in southern Israel for approximately two hours, discussing various topics including Iran. Senior officials and undisclosed representatives from the United Arab Emirates also attended the meeting. The IDF emphasized that the Chief of Staff, Air Force Commander, and Head of Military Intelligence were not present. Washington and the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem declined to comment on the report.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to Netanyahu's remarks about having "more work to do" in Iran, tweeting that Iran grew stronger the last time Netanyahu sought to "finish the job." Araghchi accused Netanyahu of dragging the U.S. into another war to escape prison, regardless of the consequences for Israel or Trump. Araghchi also reiterated Iran's offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week, though Washington continues to insist on including the nuclear issue in any potential agreement.