Iran on Wednesday flatly rejected America’s 15-point ceasefire proposal and responded with a counterproposal of its own, even as it pressed on with attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab countries, according to Iran’s state television broadcaster Press TV.
An anonymous Iranian official quoted by Press TV said Tehran turned down the American plan outright. “Iran has responded negatively to an American proposal aimed at ending the ongoing imposed war,” the official said, adding that Iran would end the conflict “when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met.” Until then, the official warned, Tehran would keep delivering “heavy blows” across the Middle East.
Iran’s five-point counterproposal, as reported by Press TV, demands a halt to the killing of Iranian officials, guarantees against any future war, reparations for damages, a full end to hostilities, and recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Two of those conditions are likely to be dead on arrival in Washington. Reparations and Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies run directly counter to US interests and are unlikely to find any traction in negotiations.
Press TV published the official’s rejection and counterproposal after Pakistan reportedly carried America’s 15-point plan to Tehran. At the same time, Washington moved to reinforce its military presence in the region, deploying additional paratroopers and Marines.
The Iranian official also called for concrete guarantees ruling out a repeat of the conflict, clear terms for calculating war damages, and assured payment of compensation. On the Strait of Hormuz, the official described Iranian sovereignty over the waterway as a “natural, legal right.”
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