Donald Trump lays down tough conditions as Iran denies ceasefire dialogue with US

Tehran: The third week of the Iran conflict is currently underway, and US President Donald Trump's claims regarding a ceasefire are dominating the headlines. Trump has given Iran until Friday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He has stated that negotiations with Iran regarding a ceasefire are "positive". However, Iran has not openly disclosed any details concerning a ceasefire. Iran's ambassador in Islamabad asserts, "No talks have taken place between Iran and the United States."

Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam remarked, "We, too, have heard such reports through the media; however, to the best of my knowledge—and contrary to Trump's claims—no dialogue, whether direct or indirect, has occurred between the two nations thus far." Moghaddam further added that "friendly nations" have engaged in "consultations with both sides" with the objective of bringing an end to the conflict. These comments come amidst Trump's assertions that "meaningful discussions" have taken place with an unnamed Iranian official; however, Iran has denied these claims.

Why does Suspense Surround Iran-US Ceasefire?

The confusion stems from the fact that Iran has repeatedly denied engaging in any negotiations regarding a ceasefire. Nevertheless, Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan have indicated that they are playing the role of mediators. The situation has become further complicated by reports in the US media suggesting that Donald Trump has proposed a 15-point plan. Citing Pakistani sources, Al Jazeera reported that Trump's 15-point proposal has been conveyed to Tehran. Separately, Turkey has made similar statements. Harun Armagan, Deputy Chairman for Foreign Affairs within Turkey's ruling AK Party, told the news agency Reuters that Turkey is playing the role of a "messenger" between Tehran and Washington.

Turkey maintains strong ties with officials in both the United States and Iran, and—alongside a group of other nations—it is actively seeking to position itself as a potential mediator in the conflict. Both Turkey and Pakistan are vying to host the mediation talks within their respective countries. Several reports suggest that Iran does not trust Pakistan; consequently, if it were to agree to participate in such a meeting, the host nation would likely be Turkey. However, there is currently no concrete information available to confirm this.

What Does the US Want from Iran?

Donald Trump's demands have been constantly shifting. At times, he has claimed that Iran is "completely defeated," while at others, he has demanded that Iran dismantle its nuclear program and pledge not to pursue it further in the future. Trump has also stated that he wishes to share control of the Strait of Hormuz with the "next Ayatollah." Furthermore, he seeks to have Iran limit its missile production and restrict its future military actions solely to defensive measures.

Interestingly, Jake Sullivan—Biden's former National Security Advisor—claimed during an appearance on 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' that "U.S. negotiators failed to properly comprehend the agreement that Iran had proposed prior to the attack." During the Obama administration, Sullivan participated in negotiations with Abbas Araqchi, who was representing Iran at the time. Sullivan asserted that "prior to the conflict, Iran had presented U.S. negotiators with a major proposal to resolve the nuclear issue—a proposal that the American negotiators simply failed to grasp."

What Does Iran Want Now, in the Aftermath of the Conflict?

Iran seeks security guarantees from the United States—assurances that hostilities will not resume and that Washington will not launch future attacks against Tehran. Iranian officials also wish to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains under their control; furthermore, they now seek to levy tolls on vessels transiting through this waterway—much in the same way fees are collected for passage through the Suez Canal.

Additionally, Tehran demands the closure of all U.S. military bases throughout the region and insists that the United States provide compensation for the damages Iran has sustained. Iran has released a list of these demands, the nature of which makes it appear highly unlikely that the United States would be willing to accept them. What Does Israel Want?
Israel's demands are no secret.

For years, it has maintained that under no circumstances will it allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, no matter what measures are required. Israel is doing exactly that. Israeli strikes have effectively prevented Iran from building a nuclear bomb for several years. Israel has launched devastating attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities. The United States, too, has dropped "bunker-buster" bombs on several nuclear sites, including Natanz. Nevertheless, Israel seeks to see the 450 kilograms of enriched uranium currently in Iran's possession removed from the country. Israel's second major demand is the imposition of controls on Iranian missiles.

What Do the Countries of West Asia Want?

Saudi Arabia seeks a regime change in Iran—specifically, the ousting of the current government. Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly conveyed this objective to Donald Trump. Several nations in the Arab region—including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain—now view the Iranian regime as a direct and long-term threat to their security. They seek to bring an end to the conflict, backed by security guarantees.