Zarif Floats Ceasefire Terms as Iran Signals Openness to Deal

Dubai— Mohammad Javad Zarif has proposed potential terms for ending the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, suggesting Tehran could leverage its current position to secure sanctions relief and de-escalation, according to an article published on Friday.

Writing in Foreign Affairs, Zarif said Iran should offer to limit its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a comprehensive lifting of U.S. sanctions, a proposal he said Washington had previously rejected but might now consider under changed circumstances.

The remarks come as the United States has put forward a 15-point ceasefire framework that includes restoring maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz, though there has been no indication of progress in negotiations.

Zarif, who played a central role in negotiating the 2015 nuclear agreement, no longer holds an official government position but remains an influential figure. Analysts note that such proposals are unlikely to be published without at least informal alignment with senior leadership in Tehran.

Iranian officials have repeatedly pointed to past instances in which negotiations with Washington coincided with military action, including the current conflict, as a source of distrust.

Zarif also criticized previous U.S. negotiating representatives, including Jared Kushner, questioning their expertise in geopolitics and nuclear policy.

The proposal underscores tentative signals of diplomatic maneuvering amid ongoing hostilities, even as military exchanges and tensions in the region continue.