Iran has reportedly rejected US president Donald Trump’s peace plan and has laid out five conditions to end the war.
The news comes as the two countries continue to tell very different stories about whether peace negotiations are actually happening.
According to Trump, they are having 'very good and productive conversations', with Iran even gifting him 'a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money'.
But if you listen to Iran, they have accused Trump of 'negotiating with himself' and sending 'backstabbing' emissaries.
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Now, the United States has issued its first outline of a 15-point plan to end the war in the Middle East, according to two regional sources and a US official.
Trump confirmed the 15 points earlier this week and previously expressed optimism about the two nations reaching an agreement.
"They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon. That’s number one. That’s number one, two and three," Trump said on Monday (23 March), adding that Iran had agreed to that point. "They will never have a nuclear weapon."
Other elements of the proposed peace plan, as reported by Al Jazeera, include a 30-day ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, limits on the range and number of Iran's missiles, Iran ending its support for regional proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas, and a commitment for Iran to let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitor its nuclear infrastructure.
But Iran's state broadcaster Press TV reports, citing a 'senior political-security official', that Tehran has rejected a US proposal to end the current war, calling the conditions 'excessive'.
"The official with knowledge of the details of the proposal, speaking exclusively to Press TV, said Iran will not allow US President Donald Trump to dictate the timing of the war's end," the outlet reported earlier today (25 March).
While the outlet does not identify the official or give a title, it says they stated: "Iran will end the war when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met."
According to Press TV, the official outlined five conditions, including:
- A complete halt to 'aggression and assassinations' by the enemy
- The establishment of concrete mechanisms to ensure that the war is not reimposed on the Islamic Republic
- Guaranteed and clearly defined payment of war damages and reparations.
- The conclusion of the war across all fronts and for all resistance groups involved throughout the region
- Iran's exercise of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz is and will remain Iran's natural and legal right, and it constitutes a guarantee for the implementation of the other party's commitments, and must be recognised
As per Press TV, the official emphasised that Tehran would continue to inflict 'heavy blows' on the enemy until its demands are fulfilled.
"According to the official, Washington has been pursuing negotiations through various diplomatic channels, putting forward proposals that Tehran views as 'excessive' and disconnected from the reality of America's failure on the battlefield," the outlet continued.
It added: "Iran has communicated to all intermediaries acting in good faith that a ceasefire is contingent upon the acceptance of all of its conditions."
The official reportedly declared: "No negotiations will be held prior to that.
"The end of the war will occur when Iran decides it should end, not when Trump envisions its conclusion."
The US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran late last month (28 February), killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the attacks, which went on to trigger hundreds of retaliatory missiles and thousands of drones from Iran across the region.
Iran’s retaliatory strikes were targeted across the Gulf at American allies and bases, striking countries such as Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Over 3,000 people have been killed in Iran as the war continues.
Topics: World News, Iran, US News, Politics, Donald Trump, News
Rhiannon Ingle