Iran has dismissed a US-proposed ceasefire and issued its own terms for halting the conflict, saying it will not accept Washington dictating conditions and will stop fighting only when its demands are met.
State media quoted an anonymous Iranian official listing five prerequisites for a ceasefire: an end to aggression and targeted assassinations; guarantees that hostilities will not resume; clear compensation for damages and war reparations; implementation of a ceasefire across all fronts and by all resistance groups involved in the region; and formal recognition of Iran’s sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz plus guarantees to uphold the other commitments.
The announcement came after US President Donald Trump said Washington had proposed a 15-point ceasefire plan, reportedly delivered to Iran via Pakistan. The White House said it was pursuing “productive conversations” but did not identify any Iranian interlocutors. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that further strikes could follow if talks proved unproductive, said US forces were close to meeting core military objectives, and reiterated an estimated campaign timeline of roughly four to six weeks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied direct talks with the US and characterised negotiations as “an admission of defeat,” reaffirming Tehran’s determination to continue resisting. State media said Iran has no plans to negotiate and will fight until its listed conditions are satisfied.
International reactions have been mixed. Germany urged that diplomacy be given a chance, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul saying Iran would be “well advised” to accept talks. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the war was “out of control,” appointed veteran diplomat Jean Arnault as his special envoy, and urged all parties to climb the “diplomatic ladder.” He also warned of global economic fallout from disruptions — including a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz — that could affect oil, gas and fertiliser shipments during planting season.
The conflict continues to exact a heavy humanitarian toll in the region. Lebanese government figures say Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced over a million. Israel’s prime minister said the military is expanding a “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon and linked the campaign to a wider confrontation with Iran. EU politician Antonio Costa called on both Israel and Hezbollah to stop attacks in Lebanon.
Security incidents tied to the wider confrontation have been reported 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, starting a fire at a fuel tank. Thousands of civilians have fled affected areas; correspondents reported Iranians crossing into Turkey amid growing fear and uncertainty.
Debate continues in allied countries over further US involvement. At least one Republican lawmaker has 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 polls indicate 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, citing concerns about visa overstays linked to the conflict. Germany’s president described the US-Israeli campaign against Iran as a breach of international law, a view the German government did not immediately endorse while US lawyers review legal questions.
Diplomats and mediators — including Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey — continue offering to broker ceasefires and de-escalation talks as the international community seeks a path back from further escalation.