"The New York Times": Iran rejected a US ceasefire proposal - Sarmad

A report by The New York Times revealed that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zoubi brought an American proposal for a ceasefire to Tehran following his recent visit to the White House and meeting with President Donald Trump, but Iranian officials rejected the offer, deeming it inadequate to address the core issue concerning the future control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The mediation attempt came at a time when Trump was threatening to expand the conflict and target Iran’s critical infrastructure.

Officials, who requested anonymity, stated that the Iraqi prime minister’s visit to Tehran followed his recent meeting with Trump at the White House.

Details of the ceasefire proposal were not immediately clear, but Iranian officials confirmed it was the only offer currently on the table, and that Tehran had no interest in a temporary agreement that left the question of control over the Strait of Hormuz unresolved.

Al-Zoubi arrived in Tehran leading a delegation of senior Iraqi officials, where he met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, senior Iranian negotiator Major General Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to local media.

In remarks to state television, Araghchi said that Iran and Iraq share close economic, political, and security interests, noting that the visit took on special significance amid the current circumstances in the region.