Iran has rejected a US ceasefire proposal and issued its own conditions for an end to the conflict, saying Tehran will not let Washington dictate terms and will stop fighting only when its demands are met.
Iranian state media quoted an anonymous official outlining five conditions for a halt to hostilities: an end to aggression and assassinations; guarantees that the war will not recur; clear payment of damages and war reparations; implementation of the ceasefire across all fronts and by all resistance groups involved in the region; and recognition of Iran’s sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz with guarantees to implement the other commitments.
The announcement follows US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington had proposed a 15-point ceasefire plan, reportedly delivered to Iran via Pakistan. The White House has said it is pursuing “productive conversations” but has not identified with whom in Iran it is negotiating. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that more strikes could follow if talks prove unproductive and said US forces were close to meeting core military objectives. She also reiterated an estimated timeline for the campaign of roughly four to six weeks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied any direct talks with the US and described negotiations as “an admission of defeat,” affirming Tehran’s stance of continued resistance. State media said Iran has no plans to negotiate and will fight until its conditions are satisfied.
International responses have varied. Germany urged that diplomacy be given a chance, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul saying Iran would be “well advised” to accept talks. The UN secretary-general, António Guterres, warned the war was “out of control,” named veteran diplomat Jean Arnault as his special envoy, and called on all parties to climb the “diplomatic ladder.” Guterres also cautioned about global economic fallout from disruptions — including the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz — affecting oil, gas and fertilizer shipments during planting season.
In the region, fighting continues to exact a heavy humanitarian toll. Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced over a million, according to Lebanese government figures. Israel’s prime minister said the military is expanding a “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon and linked the campaign to a broader confrontation with Iran. The EU’s Antonio Costa urged both Israel and Hezbollah to end attacks in Lebanon.
Security incidents tied to the wider conflict have emerged across the Gulf. Kuwait said it arrested six people in a plot to assassinate leaders and reported that Iranian drones struck near its international airport, causing a fire at a fuel tank. Meanwhile, thousands of civilians have fled affected areas; DW correspondents reported Iranians crossing into Turkey amid growing fear and uncertainty.
Domestically in allied nations, debate continues over further US involvement. At least one Republican lawmaker said she would not support deploying US ground troops to Iran. Reports suggest up to 3,000 additional US troops could be sent to the Middle East, while public opinion polls show a majority of Americans view recent US military action against Iran as excessive.
Some states have taken precautionary measures: Australia announced a six-month ban on certain visitor visas for Iranian passport holders over concerns about visa overstays linked to the conflict.
Germany’s president called the US-Israeli war on Iran a breach of international law, a comment the German government declined to immediately endorse while US lawyers review legal questions. The international community continues to seek a path back from escalation as diplomats and mediators — including Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey — offer to broker ceasefires and de-escalation talks.