Amid this prolonged standoff, Donald Trump issued a direct warning to Iran, urging its leadership to take the truce proposal seriously. His remarks came as reports suggested that the United States had presented a detailed plan to end the conflict, even though Tehran has rejected the idea of direct negotiations.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized Iran’s stance, describing its negotiators as unusual and accusing them of seeking a deal privately while publicly downplaying the proposal. He warned that Iran needed to act quickly, adding that failure to do so could lead to irreversible consequences.
Indirect discussions between the United States and Iran are ongoing, with messages being relayed through Pakistan, while Turkey and Egypt are also involved in mediation efforts, according to Pakistan’s foreign minister. Washington has reportedly shared a 15-point proposal with Tehran via Pakistan as a framework for achieving a ceasefire.
The proposed plan includes extensive measures aimed at reshaping Iran’s military and nuclear stance. These provisions call for strict limitations on Tehran’s nuclear programme, an end to its support for proxy groups, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. It also suggests a month-long ceasefire to create room for further negotiations. However, due to the breadth of these demands and Iran’s consistent opposition to similar conditions, acceptance of the proposal in its current form appears unlikely.
Additional elements reportedly involve dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities and associated military infrastructure. In exchange, the United States is said to be offering partial sanctions relief, approval for a United Nations-monitored civilian nuclear programme with fuel facilities located outside Iran, and possible economic cooperation to assist Iran’s struggling economy.
Iran has acknowledged reviewing proposals but has firmly rejected the prospect of direct negotiations with Washington. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that the exchange of messages through mediators should not be interpreted as formal talks, reiterating that no direct discussions with the United States are taking place.
He also dismissed US claims of progress, stating that Washington had not achieved its objectives in the conflict, including aspirations of a swift victory or regime change.
Following its rejection of the US proposal, Iran has reportedly introduced a counterproposal consisting of five main conditions for ending the war. These include a complete cessation of what it describes as acts of aggression, guarantees against the resumption of conflict, compensation for war-related damages, an end to hostilities across all fronts involving allied groups, and formal recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
