US Signals Acceptance of 'Hormuz First, Nuclear Later' Framework; Pakistan-Led Mediation Gains Traction

On May 6, 2026, Al Jazeera reported that the US had signaled acceptance — at least in principle — of Iran's preferred sequencing: resolving the Strait of Hormuz blockade and commercial shipping access first, with Iran's nuclear program to be addressed in a subsequent negotiating phase. This represented a significant US concession from its original position, which had demanded nuclear commitments as the primary condition for any deal. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif played a central mediating role, with Pakistani diplomatic back-channels used to convey both sides' positions without formal direct talks. Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi traveled to Beijing on May 6 to brief Chinese officials on the state of negotiations, with China publicly urging both sides to 'seize the diplomatic moment.' Iran's foreign ministry confirmed 'messages exchanged' between Tehran and Washington but stated Iran had issued 'no formal response' to the US's 14-point proposal submitted via Pakistan. The White House did not formally confirm the sequencing concession, with National Security Council spokesperson Brian Sherron saying only that 'all aspects of the relationship are on the table.' Core remaining obstacles: the US naval blockade of Iranian ports (blocking 41 tankers with an estimated 69 million barrels), Iran's demand for war reparations, and the status of Lebanon under any framework deal.