Iran-Israel war update: Why Iran rejected the US 15-point peace plan
Washington: The Middle East stands at a terrifying crossroads as US President Donald Trump issued a chilling ultimatum to Tehran, promising to "unleash hell" if the Iranian regime refuses a deal to end the devastating four-week-long war. Despite the White House’s ramped-up rhetoric, a defiant Tehran has officially rejected the American-led peace proposal, vowing to continue its "resistance" on its own terms.
The conflict, which ignited on February 28, 2026, following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has now spiraled into a regional conflagration involving Israel, Lebanon, and several Gulf nations.
The 15-point peace plan: What’s on the table?
According to reports from The New York Times, the US proposal seeks a total overhaul of the regional security map. The 15-point plan reportedly includes:
- The complete dismantling of Iran’s contested nuclear program.
- Strict limits on Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities.
- The immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to all international traffic.
- A month-long ceasefire accompanied by significant sanctions relief.
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the overture, stating, "We do not intend to negotiate. We seek an end to the war on our own terms." Tehran has countered with its own five-point list, demanding war reparations and a permanent guarantee against future U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Trump says they are negotiating in secret
During a Republican dinner on Wednesday, President Trump struck a characteristically bold tone, claiming that despite public denials, Iranian officials are desperate for a deal."
They want to make a deal so badly," Trump told the crowd. "But they’re afraid to say it because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people, or they’ll be killed by us."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this stance, warning that the President "does not bluff" and is prepared to intensify military operations to unprecedented levels if the deadline passes without a breakthrough.
Global economic shockwaves: Oil hits $100
The war has triggered the most significant energy disruption in modern history. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively a "no-go zone" for hostile vessels, global markets are in turmoil.
Brent crude surged back above $100 a barrel on Wednesday after initial hopes for a ceasefire faded.
Analysts report that nearly 20% of the world’s oil and LNG supply is currently blocked, leading to fuel rationing in parts of Asia and Europe.