Iran has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's 15-point plan to end the war, according to state-run Press TV.
The news outlet cited an unknown senior political-security official who laid out five of Tehran's own conditions to bring the conflict to an end, including paying reparations for damage.
These conditions bear no resemblance to Trump's proposals, which include Iran committing not to build nuclear weapons and reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The war began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli air strikes, after which Iran expanded hostilities by targeting American allies in the Gulf.
On Tuesday, Trump claimed Iran was desperate for talks, asserting that Iranian negotiators had presented the U.S. with a very significant prize related to oil and gas. However, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, dismissed any suggestion of negotiations, claiming it was a manipulation by the U.S. and Israel.
The U.S. plan reportedly includes demands for Iran to cease its nuclear weapons program and stop funding regional proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas. In contrast, Iran's counter-proposals emphasize a complete halt to aggression and reparations for war damages.
Iran's leadership remains cautious about engaging in talks with the U.S., particularly after a deadly Israeli air strike earlier this year killed significant Iranian leaders. The current political climate suggests that achieving peace may be increasingly complex and uncertain.
