UNITED STATES PERSPECTIVE

The White House maintains a resolute but passive stance: if Tehran wants to negotiate, it just needs to pick up the phone. Trump repeated this line on Fox News after canceling the planned mediation meeting in Islamabad. The week tensioned however with the publication of Iran's three-stage proposal — progressive reopening of Hormuz, freeze of the civilian nuclear program, discussions on regional security architecture — which the administration reviews without committing. Meanwhile Bloomberg notes a 'curious exuberance' in financial markets betting on a quick resolution. An Iranian ultra-hardliner who mocked Trump is now positioned to take over nuclear talks on Tehran's side, further complicating any opening.