Tehran — Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran is examining a US counter-proposal aimed at ending the conflict, with the message conveyed through Pakistan, Al Jazeera reported.
Baghaei declined to discuss details while the offer is under review, and criticized the US approach as making ‘excessive and unreasonable demands,’ which he said makes the proposal ‘not easy to review.’
Responding to media coverage about Iran’s nuclear intentions, Baghaei dismissed the reports as ‘mostly speculation,’ saying allegations about enrichment or nuclear materials are ‘purely speculative.’ He added that Iran is focused ‘at this stage’ on stopping the war completely and that decisions about next steps will be taken later.
Al Jazeera noted Islamabad facilitated the diplomatic exchange as regional tensions remained high.
On the US side, former President Donald Trump posted that his representatives were holding ‘very positive’ discussions and suggested the talks could produce ‘something very positive for all,’ saying he was ‘fully aware’ his team was engaging with Tehran. US special envoy Steve Witkoff told CNN, ‘We’re in conversation,’ referring to ongoing contacts to explore negotiations; he spoke while at Trump’s Doral golf club during the PGA Cadillac Championship.
Trump’s remarks marked a contrast with an earlier, sharper rejection. Speaking to Kan News and posting on X, he said he ‘can’t imagine’ Iran’s offer would be acceptable because Tehran ‘have not yet paid a big enough price,’ called the offer ‘not acceptable’ and said ‘there are things I can’t agree to,’ while also asserting the regional military campaign was ‘going great.’
In an interview with Iranian broadcaster SNN TV, Baghaei said the US response to Tehran’s proposal delivered via Pakistan had reached Iran. He described the ’14-point proposal’ as focused solely on ending the conflict rather than on nuclear issues, and he rejected reports that the plan included mine-clearing in the Strait of Hormuz, calling those claims ‘fabricated and concocted by certain media outlets.’
Baghaei reiterated that Tehran ‘rejects negotiations under ultimatum and deadline,’ according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
This report is sourced from a syndicated feed and published as received; the publisher assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
