Trump: Iran has agreed to give up nuclear weapons
Iran: Don't take your failures as an agreement

President Trump of the United States

Spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bagheri

According to a report on the U.S. Axios news website on the 24th, U.S. and Israeli officials stated that President Trump is simultaneously preparing for diplomatic negotiations with Iran and military escalation. Even as the U.S. is negotiating with Iran, Israel and the U.S. also plan to carry out further military strikes on Iran for another two to three weeks.

Chairman of the Iranian Government Information Committee: The 15-Point Ceasefire Agreement is Trump’s “Another Lie”

Regarding reports that the U.S. proposed a ceasefire agreement covering 15 points to Iran, Chairman of the Iranian Government Information Committee, Hazrat, said, “The enemy listed wishes that cannot be achieved through attack.” The 15 points of the ceasefire proposal from the U.S. are another “lie” by President Trump, and “should be ignored.”

Media in Israel: 15 Points of the Ceasefire Agreement

On the 24th, President Trump told the media at the White House that the U.S. and Iran are in negotiations, and Iran has “agreed to permanently abandon nuclear weapons.” The day before, Trump claimed that the U.S. and Iran had engaged in dialogue. However, this statement was quickly denied by Iran.

Trump stated that “the U.S. and Iran are in negotiations,” with Secretary of State Pompeo and Vice President Vance participating alongside his son-in-law Kushner and Presidential Envoy Witkov. He said the primary U.S. condition is that Iran “must never have nuclear weapons,” and “they have clearly agreed to permanently give up nuclear weapons.”

Trump also said, “We are dealing with the right people,” and “In my view, they are trustworthy.”

According to Channel 12 TV in Israel on the 24th, citing informed sources, the U.S. proposed a 15-point plan aimed at ending the war, including Iran’s promise never to develop nuclear weapons and opening the Strait of Hormuz as a “free sea.”

The report states that the points include U.S. demands that Iran promise never to develop nuclear weapons, cease uranium enrichment activities within Iran, abandon support for “proxy” groups, open the Strait of Hormuz as a “free sea,” and limit the number and range of ballistic missiles. In response, the U.S. would lift all sanctions on Iran and assist in developing civilian nuclear power projects.

The New York Times, citing officials familiar with the matter, reported that the plan had been handed over by Pakistan to Iran, but it is unclear whether Iran will accept it and use it as a basis for negotiations, or whether Israel approves its content.

The report states that Pakistan’s Army Chief of Staff, Munir, is a key liaison between the U.S. and Iran, and Egypt and Turkey are “encouraging” Iran to engage in constructive dialogue.

Israeli media reports suggest that the U.S. intends to cease fire for one month to discuss this plan with Iran, while Israel worries that the U.S. is seeking to reach a framework agreement with Iran and make “significant concessions.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu is concerned that the U.S. might sign an agreement that “cannot achieve Israel’s goals, involves major concessions to Iran, and restricts Israel’s military freedom.”

The report states that the U.S. and a mediation team composed of Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey are discussing the possibility of holding high-level talks with Iran as early as the 26th, but this proposal “is still awaiting Iran’s response.”

Iran: The U.S. Has Betrayed Its Promises

On the 25th, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bagheri said that Iran has had “very disastrous experiences” in diplomatic contacts with the U.S., and criticized U.S. diplomatic behavior.

Bagheri stated that during negotiations over nuclear issues, Iran was attacked twice within nine months. He called this behavior a “betrayal” of diplomacy, noting that such incidents “have not happened once, but twice.” Based on this, he said that “no one can trust U.S. diplomacy” at present.

Bagheri also responded to the regional situation’s impact on the global economy. He said that while he understands the current situation will affect the world economy, it is “not Iran’s fault.” He pointed out that “the outside world is concerned about oil prices and food prices, but we are concerned about the safety of our citizens’ lives.”

On the same day, the spokesperson for Iran’s Hatam Ambeia Central Command told the U.S., “Don’t call your failure an agreement.” He said, “Your investments in the region will yield no results, and you will not see the previous energy and oil prices.”

According to Xinhua News Agency citing The Daily Telegraph of the UK on the 24th, Iran refused to accept U.S. President’s Special Envoy Witkov and Trump’s son-in-law Kushner as U.S. negotiators, accusing the two of “betrayal.”

The two had held a third round of indirect negotiations with Iran in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 26, but shortly after the talks, the U.S. launched military strikes against Iran.

Sources also revealed that Iran prefers Vice President Vance as a negotiator, to engage with Iran’s Parliament Speaker Kalibaf.

According to the Islamic Republic News Agency of Iran on the 25th, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mughaddam said that Iran has “not conducted any direct or indirect negotiations” with the U.S. so far.

Mughaddam told the agency that friendly countries have been actively consulting with Iran and the U.S., trying to lay the groundwork for dialogue to “end this aggression.” However, these efforts do not mean negotiations between Iran and the U.S. have begun.

He said Iran always hopes to resolve differences through dialogue, but after the U.S.’s “diplomatic betrayal,” Iran has chosen to bravely defend the country and its people against invaders.

U.S. Defense Secretary: Negotiating with Bombs

White House Press Secretary Psaki on the 24th said that diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but U.S. military actions against Iran are still “moving at full speed.”

According to Axios on the 24th, U.S. and Israeli officials stated that President Trump is preparing for both diplomatic negotiations with Iran and military escalation. Even as negotiations are ongoing, Israel and the U.S. plan to carry out another two to three weeks of military strikes on Iran.

The New York Times on the 24th, citing U.S. Department of Defense officials, reported that the Pentagon has dispatched about 2,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, to prepare for more military options while Trump pursues diplomatic efforts with Iran. The report said this unit was drawn from the 82nd Airborne’s rapid response force, which has about 3,000 soldiers capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 18 hours. The deployment includes the division commander, dozens of staff officers, and two battalions of about 800 soldiers each.

The New York Times also reported on the 23rd that the U.S. is considering pulling a combat brigade of about 3,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne to support military operations against Iran, possibly to seize Iran’s oil export hub, Khark Island.

Axios cited a White House official saying that Trump instructed Defense Secretary Hagel to maintain military pressure on Iran. Hagel soon told reporters at the White House, “We are negotiating with bombs.” The report also quoted a Trump advisor saying, “Trump is reaching out for negotiations while clenched fists are ready to strike.”

The report states that the White House has conveyed messages to Iran “to show that Trump is serious about negotiations,” and mentioned that Vice President Vance might participate in negotiations. “U.S. Special Envoy Witkov recommended Vance because of his importance, and Iranians do not see him as a hawk.”

The report states that the U.S. hopes to hold face-to-face negotiations with Iran in Pakistan on the 26th. A White House official was quoted as saying, “Trump is optimistic about negotiations, believing it’s possible to hold talks in Pakistan, but nothing is certain yet.”

A knowledgeable source said that Iranian officials have told Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, who are trying to mediate the Iran-U.S. talks, that Iran “has been deceived twice by Trump,” and “we don’t want to be fooled again.” Iranian officials said that Trump’s decision to send more troops and military movements deepened their suspicions, and that the so-called negotiations are just a smokescreen.

Extended

An “Unjust War” Sparks Fourfold Divisions

Nearly a month has passed since the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran. U.S. media reports that Israeli military actions have caused dissatisfaction among the U.S., European allies repeatedly refuse to cooperate, anti-war sentiment is rising within the U.S., and top U.S. counter-terrorism officials have resigned in protest… For the U.S., this “unjust war” that violates international law and basic international relations principles is causing at least four major fractures.

U.S.-Israel: Divergences in targets and strategic goals are increasingly apparent, contrasting sharply with the initial efficient cooperation. U.S. officials are dissatisfied with Israeli strikes on Iranian fuel storage facilities, worried that such actions will disturb oil markets. Israel’s strategic goal is to seek a permanent weakening of Iran, but the U.S. does not want the conflict to become prolonged. The New York Times reports signs that U.S.-Israel relations are tense.

U.S.-Europe: This Middle East conflict has further strained already tense transatlantic relations. At the outbreak of the conflict, most European allies were eager to distance themselves, with some openly opposing. Later, under U.S. pressure, some European countries still refused to participate in joint escorting of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Europe’s non-cooperation, even threatening to “cut off all trade” with Spain. The Guardian commented that the refusal of traditional allies to participate exposes America’s isolation.

U.S. Domestic: The prolonged conflict, U.S. military casualties, and soaring military costs have sparked rising anti-war sentiment among the American public. Protests and rallies have erupted across the country, demanding the government cease military interventions in the Middle East. CNN analyzed multiple polls and found that most Americans oppose the military actions, believing they do not make the U.S. safer. A poll released by the Middle East Institute on the 19th showed that most respondents think Congress should pass legislation limiting the president’s war powers.

Republican Party: Some senior Republicans worry that rising oil prices caused by the conflict could impact the midterm elections and hope to end the war quickly. Within the “Make America Great Again” camp, influential Republicans have criticized Trump for “betraying” his campaign promise not to engage in foreign wars. Andrew Davis, senior editor of The American Conservative, wrote that wars tend to become less popular over time, and this conflict will lead to declining enthusiasm among traditional Republicans and a significant loss of support from independents.

The conflict continues, and fractures will likely deepen. International law and basic principles of international relations must not be trampled; the sovereignty and legitimate rights of nations must be respected. History has repeatedly shown that any “unjust war” launched by force will ultimately backfire on itself.

According to Xinhua News Agency and CCTV News