Iran gives negative response to US ceasefire plan amid push for talks
Iran gives negative response to US ceasefire plan amid push for talks
Iran’s officials voiced early reservations about a US-proposed ceasefire plan, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to restart negotiations. While intermediaries hinted at potential direct talks beginning as soon as this weekend, Iranian representatives remained critical of the proposal, calling it overly favorable to American interests. Pakistani diplomats, who conveyed the plan to Iran, detailed a 15-point initiative that included sanctions relief, dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme, restricting missile use, and reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil passage for roughly 20% of global oil supplies.
The 15-point plan
The proposal also aimed to curb Iran’s support for armed groups in the Middle East, as noted by Egyptian officials. However, certain elements of the plan remained contentious during prior discussions. A senior Iranian official, speaking to Al Jazeera, labeled it “extremely maximalist and unreasonable,” while others noted that the country was still assessing the terms, though they viewed the offer as leaning heavily toward US demands. Earlier this year, Iran had dismissed diplomatic overtures, mocking President Donald Trump for negotiating with himself and claiming Washington lacked a coherent strategy.
Overnight and on Wednesday, Tehran escalated attacks on Israel and Gulf nations, including a strike that ignited a massive fire at Kuwait International Airport. Meanwhile, Israel persisted with its bombardments of Iranian targets. Lt Col Ebrahim Zolfaghari, an Iranian military spokesperson, reiterated the nation’s stance: “Our first and last words have been the same from day one, and it will stay that way: someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you.”
“We have a very catastrophic experience with US diplomacy,” said Esmail Baghaei, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, in an interview with India Today on Tuesday.
Although some aspects of the 15-point plan were not novel, they had previously stalled talks before the war began. Iran had refused to compromise on its ballistic missile programme and regional proxy networks, which it considers essential for self-defense against militarily dominant forces. Egyptian and Pakistani officials suggested that in-person negotiations might commence as early as Friday in Pakistan, though Turkey was also mentioned as a possible venue.
Trump claimed the US was engaged with a faction within the Iranian government, including figures like Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Marco Rubio, and JD Vance. Kushner and Witkoff reportedly advocated for a one-month ceasefire during discussions. However, Iran’s foreign ministry and military denied direct involvement, casting doubt on the exact composition of the US negotiating team. This skepticism follows Iran’s previous attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which have triggered global price spikes.
Despite the ceasefire plan, oil prices fell after the announcement, as investors anticipated a resolution to the most severe energy crisis in decades. A recent Reuters poll revealed that 59% of Americans believe the US war in Iran has “gone too far,” pushing Trump’s approval rating to a historic low of 36%. Israel, on the other hand, has maintained its military campaign, aiming to weaken the Iranian regime further. Israeli officials expressed surprise at the US’s ceasefire initiative, as the conflict continued to intensify.
As diplomatic progress stalled, the US intensified its military presence in the Middle East. The Associated Press reported that at least 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, along with 5,000 marines and thousands of sailors, will be deployed to the region. This move underscores Washington’s commitment to the conflict, even as it seeks to broker a temporary truce with Iran.
