Iran Rejects US Truce Plan as ‘Unrealistic’, Tensions Escalate Amid War Warnings

Tehran, March 2026 : Iran on Monday rejected a United States-backed truce proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, calling its terms “excessive, unrealistic and unreasonable,” even as diplomatic efforts continue through indirect channels.

Addressing a press conference, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the 15-point plan conveyed by the US through intermediaries does not reflect a balanced or practical framework for peace. He stressed that Iran has maintained a clear and consistent position from the outset, unlike what he described as Washington’s shifting and contradictory stance.

“We fully understand what we want in any agreement,” Baghaei said, adding that the proposals shared so far fall short of Iran’s expectations and contain demands that are not acceptable under current circumstances.

He reiterated that there have been no direct talks between Iran and the United States. Instead, communications have taken place through intermediaries, including Pakistan, following the last round of negotiations held in Geneva on February 26. Baghaei also noted that Iran has not participated in certain regional meetings facilitated by Pakistan and will announce its official response to the plan at an appropriate time.

The diplomatic friction comes amid a sharp escalation in hostilities. On February 28, joint strikes by the United States and Israel targeted Tehran and several other Iranian cities, resulting in the deaths of senior leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as military personnel and civilians. The attacks marked a major turning point in the conflict.

In response, Iran launched multiple waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli positions and US military assets across the region, further intensifying the confrontation and raising concerns about a broader regional war.

Amid this volatile backdrop, Donald Trump signalled both openness to diplomacy and readiness for escalation. He said the United States is engaged in “serious discussions” with what he described as a more reasonable leadership in Iran and suggested that a deal could be reached soon.

However, Trump also issued a strong warning, stating that if negotiations fail and the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, the US could launch strikes on Iran’s key energy infrastructure. Potential targets, he indicated, include electric power plants, oil facilities and critical sites such as Kharg Island, along with possible desalination plants.

Trump described such actions as a response to past attacks on US personnel, while noting that these facilities had so far not been deliberately targeted.

The current situation reflects a fragile and high-stakes balance between military escalation and diplomatic outreach. While backchannel communications continue, deep disagreements over the proposed truce terms and ongoing hostilities suggest that a resolution remains uncertain. The coming weeks are expected to be crucial in determining whether tensions ease through negotiations or spiral into a wider conflict.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)