Iran said it is reviewing a U.S. proposal to end the war but has no intention of entering direct negotiations, as the conflict across the Middle East continues to escalate.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said exchanges through intermediaries should not be interpreted as talks with Washington.
“The exchange of messages does not mean negotiations with the United States,” he said on state television, adding that the proposal had been passed to senior leadership for review.
The U.S. plan, described by officials as a 15-point framework delivered via intermediaries including Pakistan, reportedly includes sweeping demands on Iran’s nuclear, missile and regional activities.
According to sources familiar with the proposal, it calls for:
- The removal of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium
- A halt to uranium enrichment
- Limits on its ballistic missile programme
- An end to support for regional allied groups
The White House has not disclosed details publicly but signalled a hardline stance.
“If they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily, they will be hit harder than ever,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed for the proposal as part of efforts to end what Washington has called “Operation Epic Fury”, though military preparations continue in parallel.
The Pentagon is preparing to deploy thousands of additional airborne troops to the Gulf, alongside Marine units already en route, according to sources, in a move that could expand U.S. options for a ground offensive.
Israel, which has continued strikes on targets inside Iran, is sceptical Tehran will accept the terms and is wary of any potential concessions by Washington.
An Israeli military official said operations remain unchanged, describing the situation as “business as usual”.
The war has shown no signs of slowing, with Israeli strikes hitting sites in Tehran, including residential areas, while Iran launched fresh missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases in the region.
Iranian-linked sources warned the country could open a new front in the Red Sea, threatening shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Since the start of the conflict, Iran has also effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies, raising concerns over inflation and market instability.
Global markets briefly rallied on news of the U.S. proposal, with oil prices easing amid hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough.
But António Guterres warned the situation remains volatile.
“The world is staring down the barrel of a wider war,” he said, urging a shift from escalation to diplomacy.
Despite the exchange of proposals, the gap between the two sides remains wide, with Iran rejecting direct talks and the United States signalling further military pressure.