Iran delivers "modified proposal" in negotiations with Washington.. and Pakistani optimism for a "fair agreement"

Iran announced on Friday the submission of its modified proposal in negotiations with the United States, after recent days witnessed a stalemate in the course of talks, while President Donald Trump's administration explores "military options."

The official Iranian news agency "IRNA" said that Tehran sent its latest proposals to Pakistani mediators on Thursday.

The American network CBS News quoted officials in Pakistan as saying that Islamabad conveyed the modified Iranian proposal to Washington.

Pakistani officials expressed optimism that reaching an agreement is now closer compared to the period before the submission of the new Iranian proposal.

The deadline for sending the modified Iranian response was Friday, after Trump rejected the previous version of the proposal, according to the American network CNN.

In its previous offer, Iran sought to postpone the discussion of nuclear issues to a later stage, which Trump rejected.

Despite Islamabad's intensive mediation efforts, this week witnessed an escalation in threats and statements from both the American and Iranian sides.

However, CNN quoted informed sources on Friday as saying that mediators in Pakistan "believe that reaching a fair agreement is still possible," noting that "the ball is now in Tehran's court."

After Iran announced the submission of its modified proposal, oil prices fell, reducing their weekly gains in London and New York, according to Bloomberg.

Brent crude contracts for July delivery fell by about 0.2% to reach approximately $110 per barrel in London.

West Texas Intermediate crude, which saw less trading, also fell by 2.1% to reach about $103

Trump explores "military options"

On Thursday evening, Trump received a briefing from senior military leaders regarding potential escalation options, including delivering a "strong final blow" aimed at pushing Tehran to make concessions on its nuclear program.

Fox News reported that the commander of the US Central Command "CENTCOM", Brad Cooper, briefed Trump in the White House Situation Room on Thursday regarding options for a potential "final strike" against Iran.

According to the American network, the US military is preparing to launch a "wave of powerful, time-limited strikes" if Trump decides to resume military operations. Potential targets include remaining Iranian military equipment and facilities, leaders in the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guard, in addition to other infrastructure.

Axios also quoted two American officials as saying that Cooper and the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Kin, briefed US President Donald Trump for 45 minutes on Thursday, discussing new plans for potential military action against Iran.

This briefing on a potential military attack comes with the expiration of the war powers deadline, which began on February 28.

A senior US administration official said on Thursday that the ceasefire with Iran, which came into effect in April, "ended hostilities" between the two sides when it comes to the War Powers Act, according to Reuters.

Trump had until Friday to end the war with Iran or provide justifications to Congress for extending it, but the deadline will likely pass without a change in the course of the conflict.

The official, explaining the US administration's point of view, said: "Regarding the War Powers Act, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28, have ended."