War with Iran/ Tehran sends a new proposal to the US

2026-05-18 20:34:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Talks to end the war with Iran have stalled. According to his statements, Iran has presented Washington with a new proposal to reach a negotiated solution to the conflict with the US.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai said Tehran had conveyed its proposals on Sunday through its mediator, Pakistan.

He did not provide details on the content. Baghai added that the US had previously sent a response to Iran's previous proposal.

The latest diplomatic exchange shows that, so far, neither side has significantly backed down from its demands. It appears that the main point of disagreement remains Iran's nuclear program.

Iranian media have reported that there are excessive conditions on the part of the US. According to the Mehr news agency, Washington is seeking very strict and long-term restrictions on Iran's nuclear sector in its latest proposal.

According to the Iranian Fars news agency, the US government presented a five-point plan to end the war with Iran, under which Iran would be allowed to operate only one nuclear facility and had to hand over its highly enriched uranium stockpiles to the US.

Moreover, it seems that the US has recently made it clear that it will only stop hostilities in the long term if certain results are achieved in the negotiations. For Iran, stopping hostilities, especially the Israeli offensive in Lebanon, is a prerequisite for continuing negotiations.

Trump: Time waits no longer

US President Donald Trump, for his part, publicly described the previous Iranian proposal as foolish. He recently called for negotiations to move forward quickly and, if not, again threatened Iran with destruction.

"The clock is ticking for Iran, and they better hurry, or they'll be left with nothing," the Republican wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"Time is running out."

Trump had threatened Iran with equally drastic words in early April. Israel, a US ally, is now preparing for a possible resumption of joint strikes against Iran. According to the Tasnim news agency, an Iranian military spokesman warned that any new madness on the part of the US would provoke even more devastating and harsh strikes.

Merz calls for serious talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also called on Iran to take a step forward with the talks: "Iran must enter into serious talks with the US, stop threatening its neighbors, and open the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions," Merz wrote on the X platform.

The Chancellor condemned the new Iranian airstrikes against the United Arab Emirates and other partners: "Attacks on nuclear facilities pose a threat to the security of people throughout the region. There must be no further escalation of violence."/ DW