Negotiating with Fire: Iran Demands U.S. Soften 15-Point Peace Plan
Tehran has reportedly told U.S. intermediaries that the current 15-point peace proposal is "excessive" and must be softened before formal negotiations can begin.
The Iranian regime has issued a formal pushback against President Donald Trump’s proposed framework for ending the current war, labeling the American demands as "excessive" and unrealistic. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, Tehran is demanding that Washington scale back several key components of its 15-point plan before the regime will agree to sit down at the negotiating table. While Iranian officials have signaled a willingness to engage in dialogue, they remain adamantly opposed to the requirements involving the dismantling of their nuclear program and the cessation of support for regional terror proxies.
Demanding a "Softer" Deal
Iranian leadership is particularly resistant to three main pillars of the American proposal: the total dismantling of critical nuclear infrastructure, strict new limitations on their ballistic missile program, and a permanent end to the funding and arming of groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis. Sources close to the discussions suggest that Tehran views these demands as a direct threat to the regime’s survival and regional influence. Despite the heavy military losses sustained over the last month, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf took to social media to project an image of strength, claiming that "no one can set an ultimatum for Iran."
Qalibaf characterized the current situation as a "historic victory" for the Iranian people, credited to 25 nights of public presence and the sacrifices of the armed forces. He insisted that the regime would not accept any deal that simply leads to another cycle of "war-ceasefire-war," but would instead hold out for a "full victory" that preserves their strategic assets. However, the private signaling from Tehran suggests a more nuanced reality; the regime appears to be "fishing" for a diluted version of the Trump plan that would provide them with sanctions relief without requiring a total surrender of their military and nuclear ambitions. As the U.S. maintains its maximum pressure campaign, the standoff over these 15 points remains the primary obstacle to a formal ceasefire.