Iran has responded to Donald Trump’s 15-point peace proposal with its own set of five conditions to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East — one of which could infuriate the US President.
Tehran insists that any cessation of hostilities must include an end to aggression by opposing forces, concrete guarantees to prevent future wars, a clear commitment from adversarial powers, and guaranteed payment of war damages and compensation.
Most contentious is Iran’s demand for a comprehensive halt to hostilities across all fronts, including operations against all resistance groups, and formal recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway handles nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil exports, making this stipulation a potential flashpoint for negotiations.
Iranian officials have described the terms as non-negotiable prerequisites for peace, warning that the US cannot dictate the timing or terms of the settlement.
“Iran will end the war at a time of its own choosing only if its own conditions are met,” said a Tehran official. “We will not allow President Trump to dictate the end of the conflict.”
The conditions appear to sharply conflict with the US plan, which focuses on curtailing Iran’s nuclear programme and missile development while maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts say bridging these differences will be extremely difficult, raising the prospect of continued escalation in the region.
US officials have not yet formally responded to Iran’s demands. However, diplomatic sources suggest Washington is assessing how the latest proposal may affect the timetable for renewed negotiations in Geneva.
With oil and gas markets already under pressure, the stakes are high. Any failure to reconcile the proposals could send global energy prices soaring and deepen instability across the Middle East.
Washington presented a 15-point proposal to Iran in an effort to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in the region, with Pakistan serving as the intermediary.
The proposal addresses both Tehran’s nuclear program and its ballistic missile capabilities, although the full details have not been made public.
American officials have emphasised that sensitive diplomatic negotiations are taking place behind closed doors.
President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that Iran has committed to never acquiring nuclear weapons. “They’ve agreed to that.
We’re in negotiations right now. The other side, I can tell you, would like to make a deal,” he said.
Tehran has publicly denied that negotiations are underway, creating uncertainty about how the U.S. proposal has been received. Speculation suggests that the plan could include:
- Permanent limits on Iran’s nuclear program
- Strict restrictions on its missile program, which is considered a regional threat
- Measures to curtail support for proxy groups, such as Hezbollah and the Houthis
- Provisions to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open, as it is a critical shipping route for 20% of the world’s daily oil exports
Meanwhile, JD Vance has emerged as a potential lead negotiator for the Pakistan-brokered talks, replacing Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, whose access to Iranian officials is reportedly blocked.
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