US Diplomacy Under Scrutiny from Iran Amid Trumps Claims

US Sends Ceasefire Proposal to Iran via Pakistan, Officials Deny Talks

Iranian officials have denied any peace talks with the US, despite reports that Washington sent a ceasefire proposal to Tehran through Pakistan. The Iranian military has stated that the US is failing in its war and is negotiating with itself to save face.

According to Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for the unified command of Iran’s armed forces, the US is “negotiating with itself” and should not claim to be making progress in talks. Zolfaqari made these comments on Wednesday, as reported by Iran’s semiofficial Fars news agency.

The US President, Donald Trump, has claimed that Washington is speaking to the “right people” in Iran and that Tehran wants to make a deal. However, Iranian officials have denied this, stating that there will be no return to previous oil prices or regional order until their will is done.

Reports suggest that the US sent a 15-point plan to end the war to Tehran, which calls for Iran to dismantle its nuclear sites, suspend its ballistic missile programme, and curb support for its regional allies. In return, Iran would have nuclear-related sanctions lifted and the US would assist the country’s civilian nuclear programme.

There is reportedly “total confusion” in Iran over the status of potential negotiations, with officials saying there are no talks taking place. The situation remains tense, with Israel continuing to strike Iranian targets and the US preparing to send more troops to the Middle East.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington had sent the 15-point plan to Tehran through Islamabad, which appears to have emerged as a possible mediator in the conflict.

Source: Al Jazeera