The Iranian military has openly ridiculed U.S. efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, casting doubt on the viability of a 15-point plan proposed by Washington. Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, dismissed the plan in a televised statement, asserting that Tehran has no intention of engaging in talks with the U.S.
"Have your internal conflicts reached the point where you are negotiating with yourselves? Someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you. Not now, not ever," Zolfaghari said.
The U.S. proposal was submitted to Iran via Pakistani intermediaries, who offered to host renewed negotiations between the two nations. However, Iran’s refusal to entertain the plan suggests a hardening stance amid ongoing hostilities. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is bolstering its military presence in the region, deploying two Marine units adding approximately 5,000 Marines and thousands of sailors.
Domestic Pressures Mount Amid Global Economic Strain
U.S. President Donald Trump faces mounting domestic pressure to end the conflict as rising oil prices and disruptions to international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz threaten the global economy. Iranian missile and drone attacks continue to target Israel and regional sites, further escalating tensions.
The Iranian military’s rhetoric underscores the deepening chasm between the two nations, with Zolfaghari accusing the U.S. of attempting to "dress up defeat as an agreement." As the conflict drags on, the path to diplomacy appears increasingly fraught.