Iran’s military said the United States was “negotiating with itself”, dismissing President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran wanted a deal “so badly”, as Israel and Iran continued to exchange strikes across the region.
Trump said on Tuesday that talks to end the war were underway and described a move by Iran as “a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money”.
But Iranian officials rejected the claim of direct negotiations, while Reuters and AP, citing unnamed sources, reported that Washington had sent Tehran a 15-point proposal through Pakistani intermediaries.
The reported plan, which has not been publicly released, is said to include a ceasefire, curbs on Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, and steps to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief and other measures.
Tehran has not acknowledged formal direct talks with Washington.
Iran has, however, told the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization that “non-hostile vessels” may pass through the Strait of Hormuz if they coordinate with Iranian authorities and are not involved in hostile actions against Iran.
The move came after weeks of severe disruption in one of the world’s most important oil and gas shipping routes.
At the same time, the conflict showed no sign of easing. Reuters reported that the United States was preparing to send additional troops to the region, while Israel said it had launched fresh strikes in Tehran and was pressing deeper into Lebanon.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said Israeli forces will seek to control a swathe of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River.
Lebanese state media said Israeli strikes killed at least nine people in southern Lebanon, while the broader confrontation between Israel, Iran and Iran-backed groups continued to intensify.
Source: BBC, Al Jazeera
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