Fars Agency: Iran Rejects U.S. Cease-Fire Proposal, Calls American Talks ‘Illogical’

Iran has rejected a U.S. cease-fire proposal aimed at ending the conflict and described American claims of ongoing negotiations as “illogical” and not viable in the current conditions, state media reported Tuesday.

The semi-official Fars News Agency, which is closely tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, quoted an informed Iranian source as saying Tehran “does not accept the ceasefire.” The report, published within the past two hours, added that any talks or truce would be acceptable only once Iran’s strategic objectives in the war are met. Iran wants an end to the conflict, not a temporary pause that would allow the U.S. and Israel to regroup, the source said.

Iranian officials have spent the past 48 hours repeating that no direct or indirect negotiations with the United States are taking place. They have described President Trump’s public assertions of “productive talks” as “fake news,” “psychological operations” and an attempt to manipulate oil prices while buying time for further military action.

Tehran has cited what it calls Washington’s “betrayal of diplomacy,” noting that U.S. and Israeli strikes hit Iranian targets hours after the last round of indirect contacts in February. Senior sources and state media told outlets including WION that Iran now has “zero trust” in the current U.S. negotiating channel.

Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam and Foreign Ministry spokespeople have echoed the position in state-media interviews, saying any new American “talks” offer is viewed as another deception or trap. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf dismissed Washington’s claims as “fake news” used “to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in an official statement that Mr. Trump’s comments were made only “to reduce energy prices and to buy time for implementing his military plans.” The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps described the assertions as “worn out” psychological operations that would have “no impact.”

Gulf diplomatic sources separately told The Telegraph that Iran has refused to negotiate with Trump’s top envoys—Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner—accusing them of “backstabbing.” Tehran has signaled it would prefer to deal directly with Vice President JD Vance if talks were to resume.

The U.S. transmitted a 15-point cease-fire framework to Iran via Pakistani intermediaries earlier this week. The proposal reportedly includes a one-month truce, de-escalation steps and maritime security measures in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials have said productive talks are continuing and that Iran “wants a deal badly.”