As the delay in dropping new bombs persists, the risk of a new cycle of bombardments recedes—though nothing is impossible for the Americans. However, a new development is added to the epic events taking place in heroic Iran, which has managed to achieve a historic reversal: a regional military power like Iran is defeating the US superpower. President Trump... seeing the deadlock... is now examining Iran's proposal regarding Hormuz, and while remaining skeptical, he is considering a counter-proposal that may align closely with the Iranian offer. The objective is to restore the pre-war status quo. It is recalled that for Iran to initiate dialogue with the Americans, it has set three conditions:
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A definitive end to the war must be agreed upon.
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After the agreement for a definitive end to the war, the issue of the Strait of Hormuz will be examined and a final framework agreed upon.
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In the third stage, the nuclear issue will be discussed, provided agreements have been reached on the previous two matters. Meanwhile, Russia and China have openly supported Iran, stating that US naval piracy in the Persian Gulf must end as it destabilizes the international economy. Furthermore, the Chinese argue that Iran is militarily strong and requires no outside help to assert itself. Amidst this, the Pentagon has made a stunning official admission: US air defense systems offer only mediocre performance.
CNN: US-Iran deal may include return to pre-war status quo
A potential deal under discussion between the US and Iran could include a return to the pre-war status quo, CNN reports, citing sources. "Current negotiations are focusing on a phased process, where the first part of a potential agreement will focus on the return to the pre-war status quo and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions or tariffs," the article states. It is noted that the issue of the nuclear program "will be considered later." Although a second round of talks in Pakistan did not take place, active diplomatic work is underway between the parties; according to CNN, they are not that far apart. Nevertheless, CNN estimates it is unlikely President Trump will accept Iran's terms, as they relegate the Tehran nuclear program to a later date.
Wall Street Journal: Trump skeptical of Iran's Hormuz proposal, will counter in days
US President Trump and his team are skeptical of Iran's proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing American officials. "Trump and the national security team he leads are wary of Iran's offer for a deal that includes opening the Strait of Hormuz while suspending nuclear talks," the report states. According to officials, Washington will continue negotiations with Iran and will likely present counter-proposals "in the coming days." Last week, President Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire with Iran until negotiations are concluded. On April 25, he announced the cancellation of a delegation's trip to Islamabad, Pakistan, for a new meeting. Trump claimed the United States had received a new offer from Iran with more favorable terms, but Iran denied this, stating it does not negotiate under threats.
Henry S. Ansher (Former US State Dept Official): Trump will agree to Iran's Hormuz proposal
Henry S. Ansher, a former senior US State Department official, claimed that Iran's offer to end the war will likely be accepted by the Trump administration to mitigate the growing economic fallout threatening the global economy. President Trump and his top security advisors are currently reviewing the Iranian proposal. "The top priority should be reopening the Strait of Hormuz," stated Henry S. Ansher. He added that while the nuclear issue would be more difficult, "reaching an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz would be easier." Asked if he believes Trump would accept the offer, Ansher asserted: "I assume it will end up here... I assume they will put the nuclear talks on a different timeline... The Strait of Hormuz is ready for a faster solution."
Russia defends Iran’s rights regarding the Strait of Hormuz
The Russian Ambassador to the UN defended Iran's rights regarding the Strait of Hormuz during a Security Council meeting, stating that Western countries are simply being hypocritical. The Russian Ambassador noted: "There is an attempt to attribute full responsibility for the situation in the Strait of Hormuz to Iran, as if it were Iran that attacked and is deliberately blocking traffic in the Strait."
Chinese Professor: Iran does not need China's help to defend itself
"Iran has sufficient military strength and does not need China's help to defend itself," emphasized Victor Gao, a professor at a Chinese university, regarding China's policy toward Iran. "Iran has the full capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and does not appear to have requested military aid from China at this time." China is well aware of the importance of the energy Iran provides to the Chinese economy. "As one of China's main energy sources, Iran holds a distinct position in China's foreign policy."
Daniel Davis (US Lieutenant Colonel): US should accept Iran's terms – The only path to success
The United States should accept the negotiation terms proposed by Iran, argues retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis. "The only thing we can do right now that has even a ghost of a chance of success is to accept the best possible terms we can get through negotiations that are acceptable to Tehran, and buy time to end the economic misery we ourselves caused, which worsens daily due to the foolish February decision to start a war we couldn't finish," Davis stated in a post on X. He argues that the naval blockade of Iran will achieve nothing except massive damage to the United States itself, while Tehran's terms represent the best possible option. "We are clearly in the worst possible position," Davis concluded.
Sun Degang (Chinese Analyst): Iran wants peace, seeks negotiations with US – Ready for Russia's role
Tehran seeks peaceful negotiations and is ready to accept Moscow's mediatory role in resolving the Middle East conflict, according to Sun Degang, director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Fudan University. "The fact that Iran continues to visit third countries demonstrates anew its readiness for peaceful negotiations and the acceptance of mediation by these countries," Sun Degang stated, according to the Chinese state newspaper Global Times. The newspaper notes that Abbas Araghchi's visit to Russia followed meetings with key mediators in Pakistan and Oman. According to the expert, Araghchi's international visits show that Iran is not isolated on the international stage. Sun Degang added that currently, neither the US nor Iran seeks a prolonged conflict, though deep disagreements remain, with each side waiting for the other to make the first move in the current deadlock.
Shocking Pentagon admission: US air defense systems offer mediocre performance
US missile defense systems cannot offer an adequate level of protection, warned Mark Berkowitz, Assistant Secretary of War. "Currently, our missile defense system is limited, and its effectiveness is decreasing in the face of emerging advanced threats," he stated in a hearing before the relevant Senate committee. It provides only minimal protection against hypersonic weapons, advanced cruise missiles, and mass ballistic missile attacks, Berkowitz explained. According to him, the creation of the "Golden Dome" system promised by President Trump is in the vital interest of the country. As Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov noted, the project to create the global "Golden Dome" missile defense system poses a significant threat to strategic stability.
Iran condemns American Piracy
Iran condemns US piracy on the high seas as Washington illegally seizes Iranian tankers, the Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized. Iran condemned the United States for the complete legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas following the interception of Iranian oil tankers by US forces under the pretext of "seizure warrants." These vessels reportedly carried approximately 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil each, seized under federal warrants issued by US courts as part of Washington's unilateral sanctions regime. "This is the ultimate legalization of piracy," the Ministry stressed. "Welcome to the return of the pirates—only now they operate with government-issued warrants, sail under official flags, and call their loot 'law enforcement'." The United States must be held fully accountable for this lawless behavior which strikes at the heart of international law and free trade. Such actions are viewed as part of a broader pattern of economic terrorism aimed at strangling Iran's legitimate oil exports. By targeting vessels in international waters, Washington is effectively imposing a de facto blockade on global energy markets, destabilizing prices. Iran has warned that these provocative measures risk escalating tensions in critical maritime choke points. Washington now openly displays "warrants" to justify what amounts to the state-sponsored theft of Iranian resources.
McGovern (Ex-CIA): Rubio and Vance will turn their backs on Trump over Iran failure… like rats
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, and Vice President J.D. Vance may turn their backs on President Trump due to the failure of the operation in Iran, stated former CIA analyst Raymond McGovern. "You know, it really depends on what they are telling Trump and who is telling him. Most rational people understand the US defeat in the war with Iran. How likely is it that Rubio, Hegseth, or even Vance are telling him this? I don't know. But one would expect them to jump from this sinking ship like rats," McGovern said. According to him, the American leader was placed in a difficult position by the Israeli leadership, which essentially left him "between a rock and a hard place." On February 28, the United States and Israel began striking targets in Iran, killing over 3,000 people. A ceasefire was announced on April 8. Subsequent talks in Pakistan ended fruitlessly, though no new hostilities were reported. However, the United States began a blockade of Iranian ports. Mediators are now attempting to organize a new round of talks.
The Atlantic: Serious disagreements within US leadership over Iran
The Atlantic magazine reported disagreements within the US leadership regarding the military mission in the Middle East. The magazine noted that Vice President J.D. Vance, in closed meetings, has repeatedly questioned Pentagon intelligence regarding the progress of the conflict with Iran, as well as the actual state of missile stockpiles in the United States' arsenal.
IRGC navy suffered catastrophic losses of 50 ships but Iranian fleet remained combat-ready
During Operation Epic Fury, the Iranian navy suffered catastrophic losses, with US aircraft immobilizing most of its main vessels. Nevertheless, the fleet remained combat-ready. Iranian sailors are using unconventional tactics and exploiting the geographical features of the theater of operations. The Iranian Navy and the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) lost a significant number of ships in the early days of the war. The carrier Shahid Bahman Bagheri, the fleet's largest ship, was sunk. The IRGC floating base Shahid Mahdavi was hit by anti-ship missiles. The helicopter carrier Makran was destroyed. The corvette Shahid Sayyad Shirazi was heavily damaged, and the frigate Sabalan was immobilized. Several submarines were damaged in their docks. Essentially, Iran lost its large surface fleet and its ability to project naval power beyond the Persian Gulf. The reasons for the defeat are clear: first, the US knew the coordinates of Iranian ships in advance via satellite and aerial reconnaissance. Second, the lack of modern air defense systems on its ships was a critical weakness. Third, the US immediately achieved air superiority. Fourth, Americans targeted port facilities and logistics hubs from the start. According to the Pentagon and CENTCOM, Americans struck more than 50 Iranian warships. However, Iran proved it had no intention of surrendering the Persian Gulf and is now outlasting the US in the battle for the Strait of Hormuz.
Two blockades
It is recalled that Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to ships from unfriendly states. The IRGC Navy seized two ships attempting to cross the strait without Tehran's permission: the MSC FRANCESCA (Panama flag) and the EPAMINODAS (Liberia flag). Iran claims they posed a threat to maritime security. Meanwhile, the US, which also announced a closure of the strait, is struggling. At least 34 tankers and gas carriers have bypassed the American blockade of Iranian ports, according to Bloomberg, citing data from the analytics firm Vortexa.
What accounts for Iran's naval success?
Iran's successes are primarily due to unconventional tactics and the deployment of existing naval assets. To block the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranians deployed a "mosquito fleet." The Pentagon lacks countermeasures, according to the New York Times. Iran still possesses thousands of speedboats armed with machine guns, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and drones, which the US cannot effectively counter due to their sheer numbers and speed.
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