The prospect of a swift end to the US-Iran war dimmed considerably on Wednesday as Iran publicly rejected the American ceasefire framework and responded with terms of its own that Washington is unlikely to accept. Tehran’s foreign minister confirmed his country had reviewed the proposals but indicated negotiations were not currently on the agenda. The exchange underscored the profound mistrust that exists between the two governments.
American officials had sent a 15-point proposal through Pakistani intermediaries that included conditions covering Iran’s nuclear activities, missile programme, and the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s leadership viewed these terms as one-sided and humiliating. An anonymous official quoted on Iranian state television said Tehran would determine when and how the conflict ends, not Washington.
Iran’s counter-proposal called for an immediate halt to strikes and assassinations of its officials, security guarantees from the US, war reparations, and continued Iranian authority over the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait demand in particular represents a fundamental conflict of interest, as the US has made reopening the waterway a central war aim. Oil prices fell briefly on news of the diplomatic exchange, reflecting market hopes for a resolution.
On the ground, the fighting showed no signs of slowing. US military commanders reported striking over 10,000 targets in Iran since the conflict began, including the destruction of most of Iran’s major naval assets. Israeli forces carried out fresh waves of airstrikes across Iran, while Iranian ballistic missiles continued striking Israeli territory. Kuwait announced the arrest of six people linked to an alleged Hezbollah plot to assassinate Gulf state leaders.
Trump’s domestic political position was weakening as the war continued. A new poll showed approximately 59% of Americans believed the conflict had “gone too far,” while his approval rating hit a record low of 36%. The administration was reportedly considering an assault on Iran’s Kharg Island, which handles the vast majority of Iran’s oil exports, as leverage to force open the Strait. Iran warned it would use devastating force against any landing troops, threatening to bomb its own territory to kill American soldiers.