Iran has received a proposal for a cease-fire plan as strikes continue, officials say – National
Iran has received a U.S. plan to end war in the Middle East, officials said Wednesday — a proposal sent as Washington sends more paratroopers and Marines to the region.
Tehran has not confirmed that it receives the plan and has publicly dismissed the diplomatic effort while launching attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab states, including an attack that caused a major fire at Kuwait’s airport. Iran also continued to be attacked.
Two Pakistani officials, who brought the plan to Iran, elaborated on the 15-point proposal, saying it talks about the release of sanctions, the rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, missile restrictions and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, an important waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil is shipped.
An Egyptian official involved in the mediation efforts added that the proposal also included restrictions on Iran’s support for armed groups.
The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details that have not yet been released.
Some of those points were non-starters in the talks before the war: Iran has insisted it will not discuss its missile program or its military support for the region, which it sees as key to its security. And its ability to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz represents one of its greatest strategic advantages.
Iran’s attacks on the region’s energy infrastructure and its restrictions on the strait have sent oil prices soaring and rattled global markets on fears of a global energy crisis, which has also put pressure on the US to find a way to ease congestion and calm markets.
More US troops are reportedly on their way to the region
At least 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division will be deployed to the Mideast in the coming days, three people with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.
Paratroopers are trained to jump into hostile or contested areas to protect critical terrain and airfields.
The Pentagon is also in the process of sending about 5,000 more Marines, trained in surprise attacks, and thousands of sailors to the region.
Political efforts are facing major challenges
The 15-point plan now in Iranian hands is a “comprehensive agreement” to reach a ceasefire, according to an Egyptian official.
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Mediators are seeking personal talks between the Iranians and the Americans, possibly as early as Friday in Pakistan, Egyptian and Pakistani officials said.
Speaking on Tuesday at the White House, Trump said the US was “in talks right now” and that participants included special envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. He did not say who from Iran they are contacting.
“We have a number of people who are doing it,” Trump said. “And on the other hand, I can tell you, they would like to make a deal.”
Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Central headquarters, which oversees the regular army and the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, dismissed the idea of talks. Iranian leaders have repeatedly denied that it is happening, while admitting that the foreign minister is in contact with different countries but not the US or Israel.
“Our first and last word has been the same since day one, and it will always be the same: A man like us will never meet a man like you,” said Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the headquarters, in a video statement broadcast on state television. “Not now, not always.”
Israeli officials, who have been advocating for Trump to continue the war against Iran, were surprised by the delivery of the ceasefire plan, according to a person who was briefed on the contours of the proposal and confirmed that it has been sent. They spoke on the condition that they not be identified because they are not authorized to speak publicly.
Any negotiations between the US and Iran will face significant challenges. It is not clear who in the Iranian government has the authority to negotiate – or who would agree, as Israel has vowed to continue assassinating the country’s leaders.
Iran remains highly suspicious of the United States, which has attacked twice under the Trump administration during high-level talks, including the February 28 strikes that started the current war.
“We have a very bad experience with US negotiations,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told India Today on Tuesday.
Israel launches new strikes on Iran
Israel’s military announced a new wide-scale attack on Iran early Wednesday targeting government infrastructure, and witnesses reported airstrikes in the northwestern city of Qazvin.
Missile warning bells went off several times in Israel as Iran launched its attack.
Iran has also maintained pressure on its Gulf Arab neighbors, with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry saying it has destroyed at least eight drones in the kingdom’s oil-rich Eastern Province, as well as missile warning sites in Bahrain.
Kuwait said it shot down several drones, but one of them hit a fuel tank at the Kuwait International Airport, causing a fire, the General Civil Aviation Authority said. Firefighters were trying to contain the fire.
The death toll in Iran has exceeded 1,500, the Ministry of Health said. In Israel, 16 people died. At least 13 members of the American military were killed, along with more than a dozen civilians in West Bank and Gulf Arab states.
Meanwhile, authorities say more than 1,000 people have died in Lebanon, where Israel targeted terrorists from the Iran-linked Hezbollah group, which also fired at Israel.
Energy prices are rebounding but remain high
News of the talks could lower the price of oil – after it has soared in recent weeks.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, has been near $120 a barrel amid the dispute but was trading below $100 on Wednesday. It is still up about 35 percent since the start of the war.
Economists and leaders have warned of far-reaching consequences if electricity prices remain high – from rising prices of food and other basic goods to higher mortgage rates and car loans.
A major driver of oil prices has been Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, which stretches from the Persian Gulf to the open sea. Iran has allowed a small number of ships through the strait, but has said no ships from the US, Israel or countries seen as allies can pass through.
Asked in an interview with India Today whether Iran was charging the ships to sail, Baghaei, a spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said “absolutely.” He did not elaborate.
