Iran has conveyed its response to the United States regarding a proposal aimed at halting hostilities, utilizing intermediaries in Pakistan. This development comes after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s reply to the American offer, as reported by Iranian media.
According to reports, Iran’s proposal includes an immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts, the end of the US naval blockade, and assurances against future attacks on Iranian territory. However, specifics of the Iranian response remain undisclosed, and the US has also kept details of its proposals under wraps.
Notably, Axios revealed that the US memorandum consists of 14 points, which include Iran committing to a halt in uranium enrichment, the US agreeing to lift sanctions, and both parties removing restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump expressed his disapproval of Iran’s response, labeling it unacceptable in a post on Truth Social, although he did not elaborate on the contents of the Iranian communication.
Negotiations between the US and Iran, facilitated by Pakistan, took place on April 11 in Islamabad. Following these discussions, Vice President Pence stated that no agreement was reached regarding a long-term ceasefire, citing significant disagreements over key issues.
In light of the stalled negotiations, Trump announced on April 13 that the US Navy would initiate a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, stating that American forces would intercept any vessels that had paid fees to Iran for passage.
He further warned Iran that any military actions against US naval vessels would result in severe retaliation. In response, Iran declared on April 18 that it would re-establish strict control over the Strait of Hormuz due to the US blockade.
On April 20, Trump indicated that extending the two-week ceasefire with Iran was unlikely unless an agreement was reached by the April 22 deadline. However, on the evening of April 21, he announced a postponement of military action against Iran, attributing this decision to a request from the Pakistani Prime Minister and citing internal divisions within the Iranian government.
Trump stated that the ceasefire would remain in effect until a unified Iranian proposal was submitted, while the US would continue its maritime blockade.
Iran’s state media reported that Trump had unilaterally extended the ceasefire, while Iran rejected the US’s proposed negotiation terms. Earlier, Iranian agency Tasnim indicated that Iran’s negotiating team would not attend talks in Islamabad, expressing skepticism about the potential for fruitful discussions.
In a separate military context, on February 28, Israel launched an attack on Tehran, prompting Trump to announce a significant military operation against Iran aimed at neutralizing perceived threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Iran of supporting militant groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine, asserting that the operation’s goal was to dismantle Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and targeting US military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring regional stability in the Middle East.
On March 1, Trump claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had died, a statement later confirmed by Iranian news agency IRNA. Subsequently, the IRGC announced the initiation of a major offensive operation against Israel and US bases, while Trump warned Iran against such actions, threatening a strong retaliatory response.
On March 6, Trump called for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, indicating he had potential candidates for a more favorable leader. By March 8, Iran’s Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the deceased leader, as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
On March 26, Trump announced a pause in the destruction of Iranian energy facilities until April 6. However, due to a lack of progress in negotiations, he extended the deadline to the evening of April 7. Trump threatened to destroy all bridges and power plants in Iran, warning of severe consequences for the Iranian people and potential regional instability.
On April 6, Iran presented the US and Israel with a separate ten-point plan for ending the conflict via Pakistan. The following day, Trump agreed to delay airstrikes against Iran for two weeks, contingent on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that the ceasefire would be mutual, and Iran’s ten-point proposal was an acceptable basis for negotiations.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz within two weeks would be possible only with coordination with Iranian armed forces and consideration of technical limitations.
Iran has officially responded to a US proposal aimed at ending ongoing hostilities, but President Trump has rejected it as unacceptable. The situation remains tense as both sides grapple with unresolved issues and military posturing continues in the region.
Source: BBC