US Proposes 15-Point Ceasefire Plan to Iran

The US administration under President Donald Trump has proposed a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, multiple reports said.

The plan was delivered through Pakistani intermediaries, who also offered to host negotiations between Washington and Tehran, sources told the Associated Press, as cited by Hurriyat and Pajhwok Afghan News. Ariana News, citing the New York Times and Israel's Channel 12, reported that the proposal seeks a one-month ceasefire and includes demands for Iran to dismantle its nuclear program, halt support for proxy groups such as Hezbollah and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump told reporters at the White House that the United States is negotiating with the "right people" in Iran to end hostilities, according to Ariana News. Stock markets rose and oil prices fell following the reports, with hopes for resuming exports from the Persian Gulf.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed the reports as "fake news" and stressed that no negotiations had taken place with the United States. Iranian officials have rejected any talks with the US, the outlets said.

Israeli officials, who have advocated continuing the war against Iran, expressed surprise at the US proposal, according to Hurriyat and Pajhwok. Separately, the Pentagon is preparing to deploy additional US troops to the Middle East, with reports citing figures of 1,000 (Pajhwok) or 2,000 (Hurriyat) soldiers.

The White House has not officially commented on the plan.