TEHRAN/JERUSALEM – The United States has rejected Iran's 14-point peace proposal to end the war and "has once again reiterated its coercive stance, particularly regarding the nuclear issue," Iranian daily Tehran Times reported on Friday.
Iran proposed a two-stage negotiation process, according to the report.
The first stage aims to end the war on all fronts, and if Iran's conditions are met, the second stage of negotiations, concerning the nuclear issue, would commence, the paper added.
Earlier this month, Iran submitted a 14-point counterproposal to the US, calling for a permanent end to hostilities and a full withdrawal of US forces from the region.
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The plan was delivered through Pakistani intermediaries in response to a nine-point US proposal.
While Washington's plan calls for a two-month ceasefire, Tehran requested a 30-day timeline to resolve key issues, insisting that talks focus on "ending the war" rather than a temporary truce.
Israel may resume Iran offensive ‘soon’
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel was prepared for the possibility that it may soon need to resume its offensive to achieve the goals of its military campaign against Iran.
The remarks came a day after US Vice President JD Vance said progress was being made in talks with Iran, but that any deal must ensure Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons.
“Our mission is not over," Katz said at a memorial ceremony for soldiers. "We must complete the goals of the campaign in a way that ensures Iran will not again become a threat to the existence of Israel, to US forces ... for generations to come."
"We are prepared for the possibility that we will soon be required to act again to ensure these goals are achieved," he added.
Katz also addressed Hezbollah's explosive drone attacks after an explosive drone launched from Lebanon struck northern Israel earlier on Thursday, wounding three people.
"We are well aware of the drone threat," he said. "Alongside solutions that have already been deployed in the field, there are several additional technological and operational solutions, and the entire defense establishment is mobilized on the issue."
"Hezbollah will pay the full price," Katz said.
Despite a fragile ceasefire, Israel has continued to carry out deadly daily strikes in Lebanon, while its ground forces have expanded operations in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has responded with attacks on soldiers and the border area using drones and rockets.
