Iran did not ask for the strikes on energy facilities to be halted — WSJ
Mediators in the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran say that Tehran has not asked Washington to halt strikes on energy infrastructure.
According to The Wall Street Journal, this information contradicts statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump.
At the same time, participants in the negotiation process assess the chances of reaching a truce as low.
Specifically, on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he was suspending strikes on Iran’s energy sector for another 10 days, until April 6, to allow for peace talks. According to the U.S. leader, the extension of the deadline, which was set to expire on Friday, came at Iran’s request.
However, the mediators deny this. They also say that Iranian officials have told the mediators of their interest in negotiations, but the country’s leadership has not yet expressed its opinion or made a final decision.
"Iran has not requested a 10-day pause in strikes on its energy facilities and has not yet provided a final response to the 15-point plan to end the war," the WSJ writes, citing sources.
According to mediators, the U.S. has proposed a 15-point peace plan that, within 24 hours, calls for the lifting of sanctions in exchange for concessions from Iran on all contentious issues, including its nuclear and missile programs, as well as its support for regional armed groups.
Iranian officials have already demanded that the U.S. soften its excessive demands before agreeing to a meeting to discuss a possible ceasefire.
They have also ruled out discussing Iran’s missile program as a starting point for negotiations and do not want to commit to permanently halting uranium enrichment.
Mediators say the chances of a successful truce remain low, as Iran and the U.S. are making maximalist demands that are unacceptable to the other side.
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