Middle-East War: US Is Negotiating With Itself, Says Iranian Military Spokesperson

The United States is negotiating with ​itself, an Iranian military spokesman ‌said according to state media on Wednesday, a day after US President Donald ​Trump said Tehran wants to ​make a deal to end the ⁠war in the Middle East.

A 15-point ​plan aimed at putting an end ​to the conflict was drafted by Washington and sent to Tehran, a person familiar ​with the matter told Reuters on ​Tuesday.
“Has the level of your inner struggle reached ‌the ⁠stage of you negotiating with yourself?” Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for the unified command of Iran’s armed forces, ​Khatam al-Anbiya ​Central Headquarters, ⁠taunted the U.S. leadership.

“People like us can never get ​along with people like you.”

Zolfaqari ​said ⁠U.S. investments and pre-war energy prices would not return as long as ⁠Washington ​does not accept ​that regional stability is guaranteed by Iranian armed forces.

Trump had claimed that the United States was “talking to the right people” in Iran and suggested that Tehran was eager for an agreement, adding that discussions were underway on a broader plan to halt hostilities.

He had also described recent exchanges as productive, saying there had been “very good” or “strong” talks about a comprehensive resolution to the conflict, which has entered its fourth week following a US-Israeli offensive launched on February 28.

However, Iranian officials rejected those assertions, insisting that no direct negotiations were taking place and characterising U.S. claims of talks as misleading.
The conflicting narratives underscore the deep divide between the two sides, despite increasing international efforts to broker a ceasefire.

According to U.S. officials, Washington is exploring a framework that could bring an end to the conflict, with key figures in Trump’s administration involved in backchannel diplomacy.

Countries including Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt have been cited as potential intermediaries, with Islamabad floated as a possible venue for talks.

Trump has framed the situation as an opportunity to translate military gains into a negotiated settlement that would secure U.S. and allied strategic objectives.

Yet Iran has hardened its stance, saying it would only consider talks if major conditions are met, including an end to attacks, guarantees against future strikes and compensation for damages.
Tehran has also ruled out restrictions on its missile program, a key U.S. demand.

Despite Trump’s optimism, hostilities have not subsided. Iranian missile barrages and continued U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have kept the conflict active across multiple fronts.
The United States has continued to build up its military presence in the region, with thousands of additional troops expected to deploy even as diplomatic efforts proceed.

The war has already involved thousands of airstrikes and significant casualties, while also disrupting global energy markets, particularly through tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.