Dubai: Iran has sent its response to the latest US ceasefire proposal through Pakistani mediators, saying it wants negotiations focused on a permanent end to the war, according to Iran’s state-run media on Sunday. Pakistan confirmed receipt of the message.
Iran is seeking an agreement that ends hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon, where Israel is fighting Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, and also ensures the security of maritime shipping routes, state television reported.
The US proposal reportedly includes ending the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and rolling back Iran’s nuclear programme, an issue Tehran wants addressed at a later stage. The White House did not immediately comment on Iran’s response. US President Donald Trump is giving diplomacy “every chance we possibly can before going back to hostilities,” US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told ABC.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the war began, has issued “new and decisive directives” for continued operations and strong confrontation with enemies during a meeting with top military commanders, the state broadcaster reported, without providing details.
Meanwhile, the fragile ceasefire was tested after a drone caused a small fire on a ship near Qatar, while the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait reported unidentified drones entering their airspace. The UAE blamed Iran. No casualties were reported and no group claimed responsibility. Qatar called it a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation” threatening maritime routes and regional supplies. Iran and allied groups such as Hezbollah have carried out hundreds of drone strikes since the conflict began with US and Israeli attacks on February 28.
Tensions also continue over Iran’s nuclear programme and maritime restrictions. Trump has threatened renewed bombing if Iran refuses an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear limits. Iran has restricted the strategic waterway, impacting global oil and gas markets. In response, the United States has blocked Iranian ports and struck two Iranian oil tankers on Friday. The US military said it has turned back 61 commercial vessels and disabled four since April 13. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned any attack on its vessels would trigger a “heavy assault” on US bases and enemy ships.
The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran holds over 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent, close to weapons-grade levels. Iranian military officials said they are on “full readiness” to protect nuclear sites, warning against possible infiltration attempts.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war is not over as long as enriched uranium remains in Iran, while Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow’s proposal to transfer Iran’s enriched uranium remains on the table. The IAEA believes most of Iran’s enriched uranium is stored at the Isfahan nuclear site, previously hit in airstrikes.
Pakistan, which facilitated earlier US-Iran talks, continues its mediation efforts. Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to ending the conflict, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks with his Qatari counterpart amid rising regional tensions.
With PTI inputs