Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, dismissed Washington's 15-point ceasefire plan as "extremely maximalist and unreasonable" on Tuesday1. Hours later, Tehran published five counter-conditions through Press TV: a complete halt to US and Israeli attacks, war reparations, international recognition of Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, protection of Hezbollah and allied militias in Iraq, and fulfilment of pre-war Geneva demands. Araghchi told state media: "At present, our policy is the continuation of resistance"2.
The 15-point plan reached Tehran via Pakistan. Israel's Channel 12 reported its contents: dismantling Iran's nuclear programme, limiting its ballistic missile arsenal, abandoning regional proxy networks, and conditionally reopening Hormuz3. Donald Trump said Washington is "very close to meeting the core objectives of the operation."
Iran's counter demands formal sovereignty over the strait where the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) already runs a $2 million per-vessel toll system. Washington asks Tehran to surrender its nuclear capacity. Tehran asks Washington to recognise its authority over the waterway that carries one-fifth of the world's oil.
Iran insists on Vice President Vance as sole interlocutor, rejecting both Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner4. The Trump administration says all four officials are authorised. Neither side has agreed on who sits at the table.
