Tehran: In a setback to efforts to end the West Asia crisis, Iran has dismissed proposals put forward by the United States, calling them “unrealistic, unreasonable and excessive”.
There had been no direct negotiations between Tehran and Washington, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said. Communication between the two sides had taken place only through intermediaries, he added, as reported by News 18.
Tehran’s response came after US president Donald Trump said that Iran had accepted “most” of a 15-point proposal. Tehran had broadly agreed to Washington’s conditions aimed at ending the conflict, he had told the Financial Times.
The framework of the proposal was conveyed to Iran through Pakistan as part of indirect negotiations between the two countries, Trump has said.
“They gave us most of the points. Why wouldn’t they,” he said, while adding that the United States could still seek “a couple of other things” as discussions continue.
While details of the US 15-point proposal have not been officially released, reports outline its main demands and incentives.
Primary among the proposals is the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme. This includes ending uranium enrichment, handing over enriched material, shutting key sites such as Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, and allowing full international inspections.
Iran is also to stop funding and arming regional groups and abandon its “proxy model” in the Middle East, affecting organisations like Hezbollah and the Houthis.
The proposal has also called for the Strait of Hormuz to be kept open and a move towards a temporary ceasefire of about a month to allow talks.
The US is offering full sanctions relief in return. It will also support a supervised civilian nuclear programme, and remove the “snapback” sanctions mechanism.
