Iran and the United States have received a draft proposal that calls for a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to try and find a way to end the war, two Mideast officials have told The Associated Press.
The proposal comes from Egyptian, Pakistani and Turkish mediators working to halt the fighting, the two officials said. They hope the 45-day window would provide enough time for extensive talks between the countries to reach a permanent ceasefire.
The proposal was sent late Sunday night to both Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, the officials said.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private negotiations.
Iran has formulated its positions and demands in response to recent ceasefire proposals conveyed via intermediaries, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, adding that negotiations were "incompatible with ultimatums and threats to commit war crimes."
Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had a set of requirements based on its national interests that had already been conveyed via intermediary channels, adding that earlier US demands such as the 15-point plan were rejected for being "excessive."
"Iran does not hesitate to clearly express what it considers its legitimate demands and doing so should not be interpreted as a sign of compromise, but rather as a reflection of its confidence in defending its positions," Baghaei said in a press conference.
"We have formulated our own responses" and will announce details in due time, he added in response to an Iranian journalist's question regarding ongoing efforts to bring about a ceasefire between Iran and the US.
Iran has insisted it will keep fighting until it receives financial reparations and a promise that it won’t be attacked again. US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Iranian bridges and power stations this week.
The news website Axios first reported on terms of the proposal.
