Iran formally rejected the American 15-point ceasefire proposal on March 25 and issued its own five-point counter-demands, setting the stage for a prolonged diplomatic standoff even as both sides signaled interest in ending the conflict.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a state television interview that Iran had not engaged in talks to end the war “and we do not plan on any negotiations.” Press TV, Iran’s English-language state broadcaster, cited an anonymous official saying the country had rejected America’s plan outright.
Iran’s Five Demands
Iran’s counter-proposal, as reported by Press TV, included five points:
- An immediate halt to the killing of Iranian officials
- Safeguards against future attacks on Iranian territory
- Reparations for war damage
- A complete end to hostilities
- Iran’s continued “exercise of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz”
The demands for reparations and continued Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz were widely seen as unacceptable to the White House. While Iran and Oman both have territory along the strait, its shipping channels are considered international waters under maritime law.
Trump Insists Deal Is Close
At a fundraiser in Washington on the same evening, Trump struck a different tone, insisting Iran still wanted to reach an agreement.
“They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people,” Trump said.
They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people. They’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us.
He added: “They’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us.”
The remark highlighted the challenge facing Iranian leadership. With Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei assassinated in the opening hours of the war and several top commanders killed since, Iran’s leadership was navigating the conflict under extreme pressure.
Kuwait Airport Hit
On the same day, Iranian drone strikes hit a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, sparking a fire. Kuwait’s air defenses shot down multiple drones but could not prevent the hit on airport infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said it destroyed at least eight drones over the Eastern Province. Missile alert sirens sounded in Bahrain. Six people allegedly linked to Hezbollah were arrested in Kuwait for planning to assassinate Gulf leaders, with 14 associates reportedly having fled the country.
More Troops Deploying
The Pentagon confirmed that at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division would deploy to the Middle East in the coming days. An additional 5,000 Marines trained in amphibious operations and thousands of sailors were also heading to the region.
An AP-NORC poll released around the same time found that most Americans believed the military action against Iran had gone too far. Many respondents expressed concern about gasoline prices, which had risen sharply since the war began.