Share and Follow
The United States has put forward a comprehensive 15-point proposal to Iran, aiming to establish a ceasefire. Key elements of this plan include reopening a critical strait and scaling back Iran’s nuclear activities.
While Iran maintains that its nuclear pursuits are purely peaceful, an Iranian official, speaking anonymously to the nation’s English-language state broadcaster last week, outlined Tehran’s conditions for ending hostilities. Among these is the insistence on maintaining sovereignty over the strategic strait.
During a conversation with Al Jazeera, Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the US Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, had sent direct communications. However, Araghchi emphasized that these exchanges did not amount to formal negotiations, expressing skepticism about the possibility of fruitful dialogue with the US. “The trust level is at zero,” he remarked.
Araghchi further cautioned against any potential US military action, stating, “we are waiting for them,” underscoring Iran’s readiness to respond to any ground offensive.
He warned against any US attempt to launch a ground offensive, saying “we are waiting for them.”
In a deal ostensibly to give diplomacy a chance, US officials have given “clear assurances” that Araghchi and Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf won’t be targeted, according to three officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorised to speak publicly about the matter.