Iran has rejected a 15-point ceasefire proposal from the United States, describing it as “extremely maximalist and unreasonable”, a senior diplomatic source confirmed to Al Jazeera on Wednesday. The rejection came as fighting continued across the region, with fresh drone strikes on Saudi Arabia and a residential area hit in southern Tehran.
Pakistan has delivered a ceasefire proposal from the United States to Iran, according to sources.
Amid the ongoing tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, Iran has expressed interest in having India serve as a mediator, signalling a potential new equation in international diplomacy. Iran believes India has strategic relations with the United States, Israel and Iran simultaneously, which could make it an effective mediator.
Hebrew media reported on Monday (March 23) that Iran has set five conditions to agree a deal with the United States to end the war that has been ongoing since late February.
Iran claimed it will allow “non-hostile” ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, but vowed to exclude US and Israeli vessels — as President Trump said negotiations are going well after securing a “very significant prize” from Tehran.
The Pentagon is expected to send thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday (March 24), adding to a massive U.S. military buildup even as President Donald Trump talks about a possible deal with Tehran to end the war.