In brief
- Sources have confirmed Iran is in contact with the US and has received a peace proposal.
- The US’ terms include removing Iran’s stocks of highly enriched uranium and ending funding for regional allies, like Hezbollah.
Iran is currently evaluating a proposal from the United States aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Despite this, Iran’s foreign minister has made it clear that the nation is not interested in engaging in direct talks with the US.
The proposal, consisting of 15 points and relayed via Pakistan, reportedly demands that Iran dispose of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, cease its enrichment activities, limit its ballistic missile program, and stop funding its regional allies. These details come from three sources within the Israeli cabinet who are familiar with the plan.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, emphasized that the use of third-party communication channels with the US should not be misconstrued as negotiations taking place. He affirmed Iran’s stance against entering into direct discussions with the United States.
In response, Iran has put forward its own five-point proposal. This plan calls for an end to hostilities, a halt to the assassination of its officials, assurances against future conflicts, reparations for the ongoing war, and the assertion of Iranian control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
According to Pakistani security officials, Iran has yet to give a formal response to the US proposal, resulting in a delay. They are currently awaiting a formal reply from Tehran.
A Pakistani source mentioned, “The Iranians have told us they will respond by tonight. Although some media outlets are reporting a rejection, we have not received any official confirmation from Iran. We are just waiting, as communication remains a significant challenge with them being underground.”
A senior ruling party official in Türkiye, Harun Armagan, told Reuters that the country was also “playing a role in passing messages” between Iran and the US.
The White House has declined to disclose specifics of its proposal and threatened to escalate its strikes.
“If they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily, and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
The 15-point plan
Reports of the peace plan have helped ease uncertainty in global markets, with investors hoping for an end to a war that has killed thousands of people and disrupted international energy supplies.
But it could be some time before official talks between the Gulf states and the US take place.
Three Israeli cabinet sources said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet had been briefed on the US proposal.
A senior Israeli defence official said Israel was sceptical Iran would agree to the terms, and that Israel was concerned that US negotiators might make concessions in any talks.
Iran has told intermediaries that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement with the United States and Israel, six regional sources familiar with Iran’s position said, linking an end of the war to a halt to Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah.
The Pentagon is meanwhile planning to send thousands of airborne troops to the Gulf to give Trump more options to order a ground assault, sources have told Reuters, adding to two contingents of Marines already on their way.
The first Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard a huge amphibious assault ship could arrive around the end of the month.
‘Business as usual’
Pakistan has offered to host talks attended by senior US officials as soon as this week, as fighting continues across the region.
An Israeli military official, asked whether Israel had adjusted its military plans since Trump said talks were underway, said it was “pretty much business as usual”.
The Israeli military described several new waves of attacks on Iran during the day, including one on Iran’s construction of ships and submarines.
Iran’s SNN news agency said a residential area was hit in Tehran, with rescuers searching the rubble.
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia said they had repelled new drone attacks.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it had launched new attacks against Israel and US bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain.
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