Amid sluggish negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over the end of the war, Iran has proposed a 14-point amendment to the U.S. that calls for paying war compensation and controlling the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on the 2nd (local time).
According to Yonhap News, the Iranian government delivered a proposal to Pakistan, the arbitrator, in response to the nine-point U.S. end-of-war negotiations.
Tasnim, a semi-official news agency linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Iran had focused on the complete end of all fronts, including Lebanon, rather than simply extending the ceasefire.
Tasnim News Agency reported that the U.S. proposed a two-month ceasefire, but Iran sent a position to resolve all issues and end the war within 30 days.
The proposal sent by Iran reportedly calls for △ payment of compensation for war damage △ guaranteeing the recurrence of military aggression △ withdrawal of U.S. troops from areas around Iran △ lifting of maritime blockade on Iran △ freezing of overseas assets △ lifting of sanctions on Iran △ ending of war on all fronts including Lebanon △ establishing a new mechanism in the Strait of Hormuz.
The new mechanism in the Strait of Hormuz translates into a call for Iran to recognize its right to control passage vessels, such as collecting tolls.
However, many of Iran's demands in the proposal are expected to be unacceptable to U.S. President Donald Trump.
President Trump considers Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz an issue that is impossible to compromise.
In particular, it is unlikely that President Trump, who is looking for a justification for victory, will compromise on the payment of war compensation, which is the responsibility of the defeated country.
The war began when the United States and Israel launched a surprise airstrike on Iran on February 28 and assassinated the leaders of Iran, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire on the 8th of last month, but tensions have risen again since the end-of-war negotiations in Pakistan broke down.
The Trump administration continues to put economic pressure on the regime, imposing a sea blockade on Iranian ports against Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan and other arbitrators seek to hold new talks based on Iran's proposal, but progress is uncertain as there is no contact on the key agenda yet.
The Trump administration has made Iran's nuclear program abandonment and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz a key demand.
Iran continues to resist U.S. demands as the Revolutionary Guard, a hard-line faction with its mainstay, begins to seize internal power and dominate negotiations.
Earlier, Reuters reported that Iran offered the U.S. side to resume the passage of the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate the nuclear issue after agreeing on the end of the war first.
Iran has reportedly held talks to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Iran since the end of the war, and Iran has called for the U.S. to recognize its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes even if it agrees to halt it.
Regarding Iran's proposal, President Trump said on social media Truth Social, "I will soon review the plan that Iran just sent us."
But "it is hard to imagine that the plan will be accepted in that it has not yet paid enough for what it has done to humanity and the world over the last 47 years," he added.
President Trump met with reporters at the White House the day before before leaving for Florida for an event and expressed skepticism about Iran's proposal, saying, "They want an agreement, but I'm not satisfied with it."
He then met with reporters before boarding Air Force One on his private jet to travel from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, to Miami, and even mentioned the possibility of the U.S. resuming its attacks on Iran.
#Iran #US #End of war #Negotiation
Lim Soyoung (ysoy@ikbc.co.kr )
What matters is that the negotiations are continuing.
The current situation shows some improvement and keeps reinforcing the view that it is unlikely to deteriorate.
Trump hasn’t shown any signs of being a skilled negotiator so far,
but hopefully this time will be different.