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US president Donald Trump has shared a 15-point proposal with Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, saying that it “all starts with, they cannot have a nuclear weapon,” signalling a renewed diplomatic push even as military operations continue, according to a report by the NYT citing officials privy to the matter.The plan, conveyed through Pakistan, outlines key issues including Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, as Washington seeks an “offramp” from a war now in its fourth week that has widened to involve multiple countries. Israel’s Channel 12 said that Trump was proposing a one-month ceasefire during which the sides would discuss a proposal that would include handing over Iran’s enriched uranium and banning further enrichment. The New York Times said it had not reviewed the document but was told it also addresses maritime security concerns. Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has effectively restricted Western shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil and gas supplies and driving up prices.

The proposal also tends to involve that Iran would ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.Following adherence to the plan, Iran in turn would see an end to all sanctions, which have been in place in various forms for years, the Israeli report said, according to AFP. Iran would also receive assistance in developing civil nuclear energy at Bushehr, a key site which dates from before the 1979 Islamic revolution. However, it remains unclear how widely the proposal has been circulated within Iran’s leadership or whether Tehran is willing to engage on its basis. There is also no clarity on whether Israel supports the initiative.Despite the diplomatic outreach, hostilities show no immediate signs of easing. Israeli officials have indicated that military operations could continue for weeks. Acknowledging parallel diplomatic efforts, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “As President Trump and his negotiators explore this newfound possibility of diplomacy, Operation Epic Fury continues unabated to achieve the military objectives laid out by the commander in chief and the Pentagon.”Pakistan and its army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, have been positioning themselves as possible intermediaries, leveraging reported ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to facilitate communication. Officials said Egypt and Turkey are also encouraging Tehran to engage constructively.Munir has reached out to Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, proposing that Pakistan host talks between the two sides, the report says. Supporting the initiative, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country “fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end” the conflict. “Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” he said in a social media post.Iran’s ability to respond quickly remains uncertain. Senior officials are reportedly facing communication challenges and security concerns, fearing targeted strikes if they convene in person. Early in the conflict, Israeli strikes killed several top Iranian leaders, including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, creating uncertainty over decision-making authority in Tehran.While the US and Israel have targeted Iran’s missile infrastructure and nuclear facilities, Iran continues to launch strikes against Israel and neighbouring countries. It is also believed to retain significant stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.The latest diplomatic push suggests Washington may be open, at least for now, to allowing Iran’s current regime to remain in place in a weakened form, even as earlier positions on regime change appeared to fluctuate.

Morgan Stanley initiated its coverage on Fractal Analytics with the target price at Rs 946. Analysts said they see Fractal Analytics as a challenger in the tech services space. With its strong positioning in data and analytics (a segment growing faster than overall IT services spend), and its platform-centric approach to delivering agentic AI services, expect its revenue growth to continue surpassing that of industry. They also expect gross margin improvement, alongside operating leverage across other items, to lift earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) margins to 15% and narrow the gap with peers.UBS has a buy rating on ITC with the target price at Rs 395. Analysts said ITC has implemented price hikes across its cigarette portfolio following additional excise duties effective Feb 1 this year. It has adopted a three-pronged pricing strategy to protect volumes. Overall, the company has ensured a same-price option across all sensitive variants that should largely limit volume impact (barring trade destocking). But this pricing strategy leads to mid-single digit decline in net realisable value. Nonetheless, ITC is likely to exceed the bearish consensus expectations for FY27.Motilal Oswal Securities has a buy on Tata Power with the target price at Rs 455. Analysts said the company’s finalisation of the supplemental power purchase agreement (SPPA) with Gujarat is a significant positive development, addressing the viability challenges of the Mundra plant. If SPPA is adopted by all states, losses at Mundra are likely to reduce by 75% from current Rs 1,700-1,800 crore per annum. This would lead to a 4.5-5.5% upward earnings revision to our FY27/28 net profit estimates. Beyond Mundra, the company continued strong performance in the Odisha and Delhi distribution businesses, as well as the rooftop solar segment, along with backward integration through a planned 10GW ingot/wafer manufacturing capacity, emerging distribution opportunities, and an increased focus on expanding its own renewable energy capacity remain key growth drivers and catalysts for the company.Nuvama has a reduce rating on Coal India with the target price at Rs 384. Analysts said Coal India’s narrative of higher volume and e-auction prices, amid higher global coal prices, may not materialise due to excess domestic supply, competition and relatively lower demand. They expect blended e-auction prices to be range bound though volumes could be higher. Analysts are yet to see a volume growth in FY26 and a 4% volume compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over FY26–FY28 is at risk amid higher volume from captive miners. Wage revision for non-executives is due from July ‘26 and the company may not be able to pass on the same. Earnings are likely to be muted over FY26–FY28.Kotak Institutional Equities has a reduce rating on Power Grid Corp with the target price at Rs 300. Analysts said the company has raised its capex and capitalization guidance for FY26 to Rs 35,000 crore and Rs 25,000 crore, respectively, while reiterating the guidance for FY27-28. Improved capitalization is largely on the back of the resolution of right of way issues. The company further highlighted CEA’s latest estimate for transmission capex of Rs 7.9 lakh crore for non-fossil fuel generation capacities by FY36, with potentially incremental opportunities from global undersea projects and Brahmaputra basin. The company’s management is accordingly targeting Rs 40,000 crore/Rs 35,000 crore of average annual capex/capitalization over FY29-FY36. A longer growth runway is positive, however, valuations at 16X of price-to-earnings are saturated.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)