Iran's response to U.S. peace proposal expected Friday, sources say

Key Points:

• Iran is expected to respond on Friday to the U.S.' 15-point peace deal framework, with the reply likely arriving through intermediaries, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
• The U.S. administration, including President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and envoy Steve Witkoff, are engaged in cautious negotiations with Iran, using Pakistan as an intermediary due to its direct contact with Iran's security establishment.
• White House officials report some progress in talks, citing increased energy flow through the Strait of Hormuz as a positive sign, while maintaining military operations continue alongside diplomatic efforts.
• Iran has a U.N.-based representative in the U.S. who declined to comment on ongoing diplomacy; Iran maintains it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, consistent with prior international agreements and public statements.
• Regional countries, including Turkey, are also engaging Iran's top diplomat Abbas Aragchi to facilitate talks, with the International Atomic Energy Agency involved in communications between the U.S. and Iran, despite the lack of official diplomatic relations.