Is there an end in sight to the chaos in the Middle East? Iran has set a high bar for a potential ceasefire with the United States, with tensions rising since February 28. The ongoing military exchanges between the US-Israeli alliance and Iran have created a constantly evolving situation.
Meanwhile, regardless of Tehran’s demands, the United States presented a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.What began as a targeted mission against then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of Donald Trump’s Operation Epic Rage, coordinated with Benjamin Netanyahu’s Operation Visiting Lion, has now escalated into large-scale daily bombings across the region, including in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Despite losing its longest-serving leader, Tehran’s regime has consolidated its power within the Iranian government and the IRGC, according to the Wall Street Journal. The report also detailed the demands of the regime now led by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
What Iran demands
According to the report, Tehran asked the Trump administration to close all American bases in the Gulf region and provide compensation for attacks on Iranian territory.
In addition, Iran seeks to impose fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, similar to the way Egypt charges for passage through the Suez Canal.The request included lifting all sanctions imposed by the United States.The regime also wants guarantees that the war will not resume and an end to Israeli strikes on militias allied with Iran, including Hezbollah in Lebanon. Allowing Iran to maintain its missile program without any negotiations to limit it remains a major sticking point.However, the Trump administration appears unwilling to respond to Tehran’s demands. An American official described it as “ridiculous and unrealistic.” Arab and American officials warned that such a position might make reaching an agreement with Tehran more difficult than it was before Trump launched the war.The officials added that the first signs of the new diplomatic round came through Middle Eastern mediators late last week, and that there was no direct contact between the United States and Iran.
The United States presents a 15-point proposal to Iran
US President Donald Trump presented a 15-point proposal with Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “It all starts with, they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, signaling a renewed diplomatic push even as military operations continue, according to a New York Times report citing officials familiar with the matter.Pakistan began moving the proposal, which addressed key issues including Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes, as Washington seeks an “external way out” of the war, now in its fourth week, which has expanded to include multiple countries.Israeli Channel 12 reported that Trump proposes a one-month ceasefire, during which the two sides will discuss a plan that includes handing over enriched Iranian uranium and banning further enrichment. The New York Times indicated that it had not reviewed the document directly, but was told that it also addresses maritime security concerns. Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has effectively restricted Western shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil and gas supplies and driving up prices.The Israeli report said that after adhering to the plan, Iran will witness an end to all sanctions imposed on it in various forms for years. Iran will also receive assistance in developing civilian nuclear power at Bushehr, a key site dating back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.It remains unclear how widespread this proposal is within the Iranian leadership or whether Tehran is prepared to participate on its basis.
There is also no clarity on whether Israel supports this initiative. Despite diplomatic outreach, hostilities show no immediate signs of abating. Israeli officials indicated that military operations may continue for weeks.White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt acknowledged the parallel diplomatic efforts, saying: “As President Trump and his negotiators explore this newfound potential for diplomacy, Operation Epic Fury continues unabated to achieve the military objectives set by the Commander in Chief and the Pentagon.”Pakistan’s de facto president and army chief Asim Munir have positioned themselves as potential mediators, taking advantage of reported ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to facilitate communications. Egypt and Turkey are also encouraging Tehran to engage constructively, officials said.The report stated that Mounir contacted the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, and suggested that Pakistan host the talks between the two sides. In support of the initiative, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that his country “fully supports ongoing efforts to continue dialogue to end” the conflict. He added: “Provided that the United States and Iran agree, Pakistan is ready and honored to be the host to facilitate meaningful and decisive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.”Iran’s ability to respond quickly remains uncertain.
