Tehran: Amid escalating tensions in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, Iran’s military leadership has publicly rejected claims by the Trump administration that diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran is underway.
The response came after reports surfaced that the United States had drafted a 15-point ceasefire proposal aimed at de-escalating hostilities. According to sources familiar with the development, the plan was conveyed to Iranian authorities through intermediaries from Pakistan, which has also expressed willingness to host potential talks.
However, Iran’s reaction was swift and unequivocal. In a televised message, Lt Col Ebrahim Zolfaghari, representing the Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, ridiculed the idea of negotiations, suggesting that Washington was effectively “talking to itself.”
“Our position has not changed and will not change,” Zolfaghari stated in the recorded address. “Engagement with the United States is not on the table—now or in the future.”
The remarks stand in sharp contrast to assertions from US officials, who indicated that diplomatic channels were being explored even as military preparedness in the region intensifies.
Reports indicate that the Pentagon is preparing to deploy additional forces, including around 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division. These reinforcements would add to an already substantial American presence of roughly 50,000 personnel stationed across the region.
Further strengthening its posture, the US is also moving to position two Marine Expeditionary Units, potentially bringing in thousands of additional Marines and naval personnel.
The proposed ceasefire framework, first highlighted by The New York Times, outlines a multi-point plan intended to halt hostilities and open the door for broader discussions. However, Iran’s firm rejection underscores the widening gap between the two sides at a time when regional tensions remain high.
With both diplomatic overtures and military deployments unfolding simultaneously, the prospects for de-escalation appear uncertain, as rhetoric continues to harden on both sides.
