Tehran publicly rejects American conflict resolution plan, but privately admits possibility of talks

Tehran on Wednesday publicly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire. A military spokesperson for the country stated that the American side is “negotiating with itself.” At the same time, Iran’s state-run English-language broadcaster, Press TV, quoted an anonymous senior official who dismissed the American plan and outlined Tehran’s counterconditions.

Nevertheless, in private conversations, several Iranian officials—at least up until Tuesday—did not rule out the possibility of meeting with American negotiators in Islamabad, Pakistan, to discuss Trump’s proposals. This was reported to The New York Times by sources who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the diplomatic process.

According to two sources familiar with the negotiations, the U.S. administration sent Iran a 15-point conflict resolution plan—a sign that Washington is seeking a way out of the war amid escalating economic consequences.

Tehran’s fundamental objection to a temporary truce, according to the sources, is driven by the concern that Israel and the U.S. would use the pause to build up military capabilities and later resume strikes. Iran’s position appears to have hardened compared to the last round of talks in Geneva, which took place just days before the war began on February 28, although it is difficult to assess how much of this current rigidity is genuine and how much is tactical.

Tehran’s Conditions

According to Press TV, citing an anonymous Iranian official, Tehran has put forward the following set of demands:

- Payment of reparations for damages caused by the war;

- Recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz;

- Lifting of sanctions;

- A broad regional ceasefire extending to the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah.

In addition, Iranian officials have indicated a willingness to discuss nuclear enrichment but have excluded the country’s missile program from the negotiation agenda.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, they said, is possible only after the conclusion of a final peace agreement; until then, Iran intends to impose transit fees on passing vessels.

Thus, the parties remain in fundamentally divergent positions: Washington seeks an immediate cessation of hostilities as a starting point for negotiations, while Tehran insists that any ceasefire should be the outcome—not the beginning—of a comprehensive settlement.