Tehran reportedly said the fighting will end only after it achieves its “strategic goals,” aiming to permanently resolve the conflict.
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| FILE PHOTO. Smoke rises above tehran after US-Israeli airstrike on March 13, 2026. © Getty Images / Fatemeh Bahrami; Anadolu |
Iran has rejected a US ceasefire proposal and turned down negotiations with Washington, framing them as “illogical” at this point in the conflict, the Fars News Agency has reported citing an informed source in Tehran.
Iranian officials reportedly intend to end the hostilities only after Iran achieves its “strategic goals” and insist on a permanent solution to the conflict instead of a temporary ceasefire, according to the source.
Western media outlets had previously reported that the US has been trying to establish a one-month ceasefire mechanism with Iran and that US President Donald Trump has been seeking an off-ramp from the war and has sent Tehran a 15-point plan to end the conflict
Fars News has reported that there have indeed been increased efforts by the US to launch backchannel talks with Iran, but noted that Tehran has refused to engage in them.
Meanwhile, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi has claimed that talks between Iran and the US could take place as early as this weekend in Islamabad, Pakistan. The discussions are expected to focus on missiles, Iran-aligned militias, and security guarantees for Tehran.
Here are the latest developments:
- President Trump claimed the US has already “won” and ongoing diplomatic talks with Iran are the reason why he postponed military strikes on Iranian power plants for five days.
- Tehran has denied that talks with the US are taking place, with Iran’s parliamentary speaker saying such claims are “fake news” and are being “used to manipulate financial and oil markets.” Oil prices fell more than 5% on Wednesday morning.
- Iranian media claims that the USS Abraham Lincoln was hit by a cruise missile. The US has not reported any damage, saying all missiles launched at the ship were knocked down.
- Tehran has said “non-hostile” ships are free to sail through the Strait of Hormuz as long as they are not linked to aggression against Iran.
