Donald Trump’s administration, through Pakistani intermediaries, sent Iran an official 15-point plan that, according to The New York Times and Israel’s Channel 12, is meant to halt the war in the Middle East, now in its fourth week.
According to the reports, the US is demanding that Tehran dismantle its accumulated nuclear capabilities, stop enriching uranium on Iranian soil, transfer all enriched material to the IAEA, and decommission facilities in Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow. Washington also wants Iran to abandon support for proxy forces, keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, and later accept limits on its missile program.
In return, the US is offering to lift all sanctions, support the development of civilian nuclear energy in Bushehr, and drop threats to restore sanctions. Channel 12 says Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are pushing for a one-month ceasefire during which the sides could discuss the terms.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Iran sent back a counter-package: closure of US bases in the Gulf, reparations, guarantees that the war will not resume, an end to strikes on Tehran’s allies, and preservation of its missile program without talks on restrictions. A US official described those demands as “absurd” and “unrealistic.”
“Negotiations are certainly possible now, but not on some large-scale deal, only on the parameters for introducing a ceasefire regime,” Middle East expert Ruslan Suleymanov told Novaya-Europe.
According to the NYT, the key intermediary was Pakistani army chief Syed Asim Munir; Egypt and Turkey are also involved. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed diplomatic efforts but said the military operation “Epic Rage” is continuing, and there are still no signs that the war will end soon.