Iran don officially send dia response to US proposals wey dey aim to end the war wey start on 28 February with US and Israeli strikes. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, wey act as mediator, confirm say im country receive the Iranian response but no gree share any details. He no talk if di proposal don already reach US.
US no make dia proposals public, but reports dey suggest say e centre on a 14-point memorandum of understanding. Dis memo fit lead to negotiations on Iran nuclear ambitions. Di ceasefire wey dem set up to help talks dey hold, even though small exchanges of fire dey happen sometimes.
US news outlet Axios report say di one-page, 14-point US memo include provisions like suspension of Iranian nuclear enrichment, lifting of sanctions, and restoring free transit through Strait of Hormuz. Di report quote two US officials and two other sources, all unnamed, wey dem describe as briefed on di issues. Dem say many of di terms dey contingent on final agreement.
Iranian Isna news agency say Iran response focus on ending di war and maritime security for Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. Iran don continue to block di waterway, wey cause world oil prices to rise. US part dey enforce blockade of Iranian ports to pressure Tehran, move wey don infuriate Iran.
On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian no directly mention di proposal but say: We go never bow our heads before di enemy, and if talk of dialogue or negotiation arise, e no mean surrender or retreat. US President Donald Trump predict again say di war for Iran go end quickly and say most people understand im goal to end Tehran nuclear ambitions.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say Iran stockpile of enriched uranium must be taken out before war against Iran fit end. There still enrichment sites wey dem must dismantle, Netanyahu talk for interview wey go air on CBS 60 Minutes show.
Earlier, Iran warn im neighbours about complying with US sanctions. Military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia say vessels passing through Strait of Hormuz go face severe consequences if dem no co-operate with Tehran first, Irna news agency report. Akraminia say Americans go never fit turn dis vast expanse for northern Indian Ocean into real blockade by covering am with dia fleet.
Tehran don leverage im effective control over di waterway, through which about one-fifth of world oil and natural gas dey flow, for di war. Dem don warn and sometimes attack vessels wey dey try to cross di strait. US get significant military presence across Gulf, with bases for Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.
On Saturday, dem announce say British Royal Navy dey send warship to Middle East, where e fit join international mission to safeguard shipping for Strait of Hormuz. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, together with French President Emmanuel Macron wey champion di mission, say di shipping mission go only take place once fighting for di region end.
For response, Iran on Sunday warn of decisive and immediate response to any French or British deployments for di strait. Macron then say France never envisage naval deployment but rather security mission wey go coordinate with Iran. Iran also don retaliate against Arab allies of US for Gulf.
UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre, wey monitor international shipping routes, say bulk carrier don get hit by unknown projectile about 23 nautical miles north-east of Doha for Qatar, causing small fire but no casualties. Iran Fars news agency later cite unidentified source wey say di vessel dey sail under US flag and belong to United States.
Also on Sunday, Kuwait say drones don enter dia airspace and military don deal with dem. Hours later, UAE say im air defences intercept two drones coming from Iran. Defence ministers from more than 40 nations go meet on Monday to discuss UK-led plans to protect shipping for di strait.
John Healey and im French counterpart Catherine Vautrin go co-chair di meeting, where coalition partners expect to outline how dem fit police maritime traffic once hostilities cease. Trump write for Truth Social post on 6 May say if Iran no agree to deal, di bombing go start and e go be, sadly, at much higher level and intensity than before.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
