Iran Rejects U.S. Ceasefire Plan, Issues 10-Point Counter-Demand

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the U.S.-Iran conflict remain at an impasse as Tehran officially rejected a 15-point U.S. ceasefire plan. In a 10-point counterproposal delivered through Pakistani intermediaries, Iran demanded a permanent cessation of U.S. and Israeli military actions, the lifting of all international sanctions, and financial reparations for damages sustained during the 38-day conflict. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized that temporary pauses are unacceptable, arguing they would allow opposing forces to regroup. President Donald Trump characterized the Iranian response as a "significant step" during a Monday press conference but maintained that the terms were "not good enough." The current friction is rooted in the aftermath of the February 28 joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran, which resulted in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior military commanders. Iran’s proposal specifically calls for the reconstruction of war-damaged areas and formal recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. While the diplomatic back-and-forth continues, unverified reports have suggested potential Iranian missile activity targeting regional oil infrastructure, though these claims remain unconfirmed by official sources. For now, the focus remains on whether a middle ground can be found between Washington's demands and Tehran's insistence on a total withdrawal and economic relief.