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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Trump administration has offered a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran, as confirmed by a source familiar with the proposal
late Tuesday. This announcement comes as the U.S. military prepares to deploy at least 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, supplementing the existing force of approximately 50,000 troops in the region. The ceasefire plan was delivered to Iranian officials through intermediaries from Pakistan, who have also expressed willingness to host renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to comment publicly on the matter.
Israeli officials, who have been advocating for continued military action against Iran, expressed surprise at the proposal for a ceasefire. The White House has not responded to requests for comments regarding the ceasefire plan.
Earlier in the day, President Trump indicated that the U.S. was engaged in talks with Iran to conclude the ongoing conflict, as diplomatic efforts intensified amidst a backdrop of airstrikes on Iran and missile attacks targeting Israel and various sites in the region. Iran has refuted claims of any negotiations, while Trump has postponed his self-imposed deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for international shipping that has significantly impacted global fuel prices and the economy.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are expected to face considerable obstacles, particularly concerning Washington’s evolving demands regarding Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs. There is uncertainty regarding who in Iran's leadership holds the authority to negotiate or would be willing to engage, especially as Israel has vowed to continue targeting Iranian leadership.
In the coming days, at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are set to be deployed to the Middle East, according to three individuals knowledgeable about the plans. The 82nd Airborne is recognized as the Army's rapid response unit, capable of quick deployment. This deployment follows the announcement last week that thousands of Marines would also be heading to the region.
The Marine units are trained for various missions, including embassy support, civilian evacuation, and disaster relief. In contrast, the soldiers of the 82nd Airborne specialize in parachuting into contested areas to secure key locations. The recent troop movements have led to speculation that the U.S. might attempt to seize Kharg Island, crucial to Iran’s oil infrastructure. The U.S. had previously bombed the island, targeting its defenses while reportedly leaving oil facilities undamaged.
Iran has threatened to mine the Gulf should the U.S. appear poised to land troops. President Trump indicated he would refrain from threats to bomb Iran’s power stations during ongoing negotiations, a delay that may be intended to allow time for the Marines to arrive, according to an analysis by the New York-based Soufan Center.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced via X that Pakistan is prepared to facilitate 'meaningful and conclusive talks' to resolve the conflict with Iran. The U.S. has reportedly agreed in principle to participate in talks in Pakistan, as mediators work to persuade Iran to join the discussions.
A regional diplomat mentioned that negotiations could commence by early next week, with U.S. representatives including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. These officials requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions.
During a briefing at the White House, Trump stated that the U.S. is currently 'in negotiations' with Iran, involving key figures such as Witkoff, Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance. He noted, 'We have a number of people working on this, and I can tell you the other side is interested in making a deal.'
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's office reported that he has been discussing the conflict with various counterparts this week, while Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran's parliament, denied Trump's assertion of direct talks, asserting that hostilities would persist. Iranian military spokespersons declared their forces 'proud and steadfast' in defending Iran's integrity.
Efforts to establish a ceasefire focus on building trust between the U.S. and Iran, with an emphasis on preventing attacks on regional energy infrastructure and facilitating the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. While negotiations briefly influenced oil prices, the price of Brent crude rose again, surpassing $100 a barrel, reflecting a nearly 40% increase since the onset of the conflict.
In ongoing military actions, Israel reported extensive airstrikes on Iranian production sites, while Iran launched multiple missile strikes against Israel, resulting in injuries to civilians in southern Israel and Tel Aviv. An Iranian attack in Bahrain claimed the life of a Moroccan contractor working with the UAE's armed forces, while air defense debris caused power outages in Kuwait.
Israel's attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs targeted infrastructure associated with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. A strike on a residential building in the area resulted in at least three fatalities, including a child, as violence escalated along the border. In northern Israel, shrapnel from an attack from Lebanon killed a woman.
Lebanon declared Iran's ambassador persona non grata, ordering his departure by the end of the week. Iranian flights to Lebanon are now prohibited due to concerns they may carry weapons or financial support for Hezbollah, with some Lebanese officials accusing Iran of drawing Lebanon into further conflict with Israel.
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Madhani reported from Washington, Rising from Bangkok, and Magdy from Cairo. Contributions to this report were made by Associated Press writers Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Elena Becatoros in Athens, Greece, Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, Farnoush Amiri at the United Nations, and Konstantin Toropin in Washington.
