Tehran Rejects Washington’s Fifteen-Point Peace Proposal as Military Spokesperson Claims United States is Negotiating With Itself

Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari mocks U.S. peace efforts, claiming Washington is negotiating with itself and demanding recognition of Iran's role.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

The Militarized Rejection of Diplomatic Overtures

The Iranian military establishment has delivered a sharp rebuff to the White House’s attempts to broker an end to regional hostilities. Ebrahim Zolfaqari, the spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, utilized state media to mock the recently revealed American peace initiative. By suggesting that the United States is merely negotiating with itself, the Iranian command is signaling a refusal to engage with the current terms presented by Washington. This rhetorical stance highlights a profound disconnect between the optimism expressed by U.S. officials and the rigid, adversarial posture maintained by the unified command of Iran’s armed forces.

Contradicting the Narrative of Negotiating Intent

This public taunt serves as a direct counterpoint to recent assertions made by President Donald Trump regarding Tehran’s willingness to reach a settlement. While the U.S. administration recently suggested that Iran was eager to finalize a deal to conclude the Middle Eastern conflict, the military leadership in Tehran is projecting an image of defiance. Zolfaqari’s remarks suggest that the fifteen-point plan drafted in Washington may have been met with immediate hostility rather than the constructive dialogue hoped for by American diplomats. The discrepancy between the two nations' descriptions of the diplomatic climate points to a high-stakes game of narrative control.

The Economic Leverage of Regional Security

Beyond the immediate dismissal of the peace plan, the Iranian military spokesperson linked the return of global economic normalcy to the recognition of Tehran’s regional role. Zolfaqari explicitly stated that pre-war energy prices and the resumption of U.S. investments would remain elusive as long as Washington refuses to acknowledge Iranian military oversight in the region. According to the spokesperson, stability in the Middle East is guaranteed exclusively by Iranian armed forces. This statement transforms the security discussion into a broader economic ultimatum, suggesting that Iran is prepared to use its influence over energy corridors as a primary bargaining chip in any future talks.