Iran is expected to officially respond to the U.S. "15-point peace proposal" by this Friday (today), is there a glimmer of hope for U.S.-Iran negotiations?

The U.S. government has, through Pakistan, put forward a 15-point peace agreement framework to Iran, and is expected to receive Iran’s counterproposal on Friday. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said both sides have made “real progress,” adding that energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz are increasing. However, the White House spokesperson emphasized that while diplomatic possibilities are being explored, U.S. military actions will still continue.
（Backgrounder: Reuters: U.S. intelligence confirms it “only destroyed one-third of Iran’s missiles”—is the massive arsenal still a threat?”）
（Additional context: Israel’s defense minister: Strikes against Iran will further escalate; Iran’s continued missile launches will have dire consequences）

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• U.S. negotiating lineup revealed, with Pakistan mediating
• Increased energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, with concrete progress made
• White House: Military operation “Epic Fury” will continue

With fighting between the U.S. and Iran continuing for nearly a month, it seems a concrete diplomatic breakthrough may be on the horizon. Citing multiple informed sources, CBS News reports that U.S. President Donald Trump and senior White House officials have been notified that Iran’s counterproposal to the U.S. “15-point peace agreement framework” is expected to be delivered through intermediaries on Friday (the 27th) local time.

With Pakistan mediating, the U.S. negotiating lineup is revealed

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that the Trump administration is using Pakistan as an intermediary to deliver this potential peace agreement plan to Iran. Regional sources further revealed that Pakistan not only engaged with Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but also established direct contact with the “Iranian security institutions” that effectively control the country.

Trump said his core advisory team is fully投入 in this highly challenging negotiation. In addition to Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance are also actively involved. It is reported that multiple regional countries, including Turkey, are also holding discussions with Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Aragchi in an effort to facilitate negotiations.

Increased energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, with concrete progress made

On the progress of the talks, Secretary of State Rubio issued an optimistic signal. He said the countries mediating are actively conveying messages and claiming that the two sides have “made some concrete progress.” Rubio specifically pointed out that, at present, the “quantity of energy” flowing through the world’s key energy passage—the Strait of Hormuz—is “increasing continuously,” which he said is the best proof that progress is being made in the negotiations.

In addition, Trump also claims publicly that Iran has already agreed that they will “never” have nuclear weapons. However, the report added that Iran has long insisted it has never sought nuclear weapons, and that it has repeatedly reiterated this position in 2015’s international agreement and in public statements made in 2026.

White House: Military operation “Epic Fury” will continue

Despite signs of hope for diplomatic mediation, the U.S. government has not eased its military pressure. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, in a statement issued on Friday, stressed:

“These are sensitive diplomatic discussions, and the United States will not negotiate through news media.”

She also issued a warning to Iran:

“At the very time President Trump and his negotiating representatives are exploring this newly emerging possibility for diplomacy, ‘Operation Epic Fury’ will continue unabated in order to achieve the military objectives set by the commanders of the three services and the Pentagon.”