FROM the TIME - March 25, 2026 - Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed 15-point ceasefire proposal

 TIME  dergisinden   March 25, 2026 

Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed 15-point ceasefire proposal, according to its state-run English-language broadcaster Press TV, which cited an anonymous official on Wednesday

Iran has also put forward its own ceasefire proposal, calling for war reparations and sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington's proposal had been transmitted to Tehran via Pakistan, which is on a pause in its own war with Afghanistan. The rejection raises immediate doubts about the viability of a plan that the Trump Administration has been quietly advancing to halt the fighting.

From the TIME magazin - March 25, 2026 

 

President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that the U.S. was talking to “the right people” in Iran to secure a deal and end the conflict, adding the Iranians were eager to do so. Iran’s reported rejection publicly undercuts that claim.

Alongside ongoing negotiations, the U.S. also announced plans to deploy thousands of troops to the Middle East as Trump focuses on reopening the Strait of Hormuz that has choked global energy supply chains.

In a statement to the media, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that, while “Trump and his negotiators explore this newfound possibility of diplomacy,” the military mission “continues unabated.”

Here’s what to know.

What do we know about the peace plan?

The exact contents of the proposal have not been publicly released, but speaking to the Times, officials said it addresses Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs as well as touches upon maritime routes.

Israel’s Channel 12 published 14 points reportedly from the plan, citing a Western source, but which TIME could not independently verify.

The proposal Channel 12 outlined includes dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities and requiring Iran to commit that it will never pursue nuclear weapons, stopping uranium enrichment on its territory, and transferring enriched material to the International Atomic Energy Agency under an agreed timeline.

Three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities—Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow—will be decommissioned. The proposal also reportedly seeks for Iran to abandon its “proxy” network of armed groups and to stop financing and arming them. Iran is known to be a backer of militant groups including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. The proposal also asks Iran to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz—which it has effectively shut off—remains open. It also sought to limit Iran’s missile program for self-defense use.

In turn, according to Channel 12, sanctions on Iran would be lifted; the U.S. would also assist Iran in developing its civilian nuclear program, including electricity generation at the Bushehr nuclear plant. The proposal would also remove the “snapback” mechanism, which automatically reimposes international sanctions on Iran for failing to comply with nuclear commitments.

Some of these points were also reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed officials, who said that the document seeks that Iran dismantle its three main nuclear sites and end any nuclear material enrichment. The Journal also reported that the U.S. also calls on Tehran to suspend its work on missiles, to cease support for proxies, and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for having Iran’s nuclear-related sanctions lifted and the U.S. aiding Iran’s civilian nuclear program.

Channel 12 added, citing three unnamed sources, that the Trump Administration was proposing a one-month ceasefire during which both sides would iron out the details of the proposal, similar to what happened in Gaza last year. It is now unclear whether such an interim ceasefire remains under consideration following Iran’s reported rejection.

How have Iran and Israel reacted so far?

Iran has publicly rejected the proposal and has offered its own five conditions for ending the war, according to Press TV.

They are a halt to "aggression and assassinations" by the U.S. and Israel; the establishment of "mechanisms" to ensure the war doesn't resume; payment of war damages and reperations; and end to U.S. and Israeli attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon and pro-Iranian militias in Iraq; and "international recognition and guarantees" for Iran's authority over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran continues to insist that no negotiations are underway, even though Mohammed-Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, has reportedly been in talks with Trump Administration representatives.

The AP reported that an Iranian military spokesperson mocked Washington’s attempt at a ceasefire after the 15-point plan was reported. Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, in a recorded video statement that aired on state television Wednesday, addressed the U.S.: “Have your internal conflicts reached the point where you are negotiating with yourselves?”

“The one claiming to be a global superpower would have already gotten out of this mess if it could,” Zolfaghari said. “Don’t dress up your defeat as an agreement. Your era of empty promises has come to an end.”

Israel has made no official reaction to the proposal. According to the Associated Press, Israeli officials were reportedly surprised to hear about it, but speaking to Axios, an unnamed Israeli official said that the proposal aligns with Israel’s position.

Who is mediating negotiations?

Pakistan, which has ⁠long-standing ties to Iran's Islamic Republic and has sought a better relationship with Trump, is emerging as a peacebroker.

The Times reported, citing the unnamed officials, that Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, could facilitate the dialogue between Iran and the U.S., while Egypt and Turkey are urging Iran to “engage constructively.” The officials added to the Times that Munir can convey messages between Washington and Tehran because of his believed close links to the highly influential Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Munir had also reportedly briefly talked to Trump on Sunday.

 In a statement on social media, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that, “subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.”

Trump has said that Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are also involved in negotiations.