US-Iran ceasefire talks: What are Tehran's demands against Trump's proposed peace plan

Fresh diplomatic manoeuvring is underway as Iran sets out a series of stringent conditions for re-entering ceasefire negotiations with the United States following weeks of conflict in West Asia.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Iran has demanded the closure of all US military bases in the Gulf region as a key prerequisite for resuming talks with Washington. The report, citing individuals familiar with the discussions, said the demand reflects Tehran’s increasingly firm negotiating stance amid heightened tensions.

The report further noted that Iran’s position is being heavily shaped by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has consolidated influence within the country’s leadership after weeks of hostilities.
Alongside military-related demands, Tehran is also seeking financial compensation for damage caused by US and Israeli strikes, signalling a maximalist approach that American officials have reportedly dismissed as unrealistic.

Officials from Arab countries and the US told the publication that such conditions may complicate efforts to reach an agreement, making negotiations more difficult than they were prior to the escalation. The discussions so far have largely taken place through regional intermediaries rather than direct engagement between Washington and Tehran.

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Iran outlines sweeping demands

According to the WSJ, Iranian representatives have communicated a broad list of political, military and economic conditions linked to regional security and strategic waterways. These include:

– Shutting down all American military bases located across the Gulf region
– Payment of financial compensation for damage caused by US and Israeli military strikes
– Establishing a new regulatory framework for the Strait of Hormuz that would allow Iran to charge transit fees, similar to Egypt’s control over the Suez Canal
– Firm guarantees ensuring that hostilities between the parties will not resume
– An immediate halt to Israeli attacks targeting the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah
– Complete removal of international sanctions imposed on Iran
– Permission for Tehran to maintain its missile programme without entering negotiations to limit it

US officials reacted sharply to the list of demands. According to the report, they described them as “ridiculous and unrealistic,” underscoring the deep divide that still exists between the two sides.

Trump signals diplomatic opening

Despite the wide gaps, US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about the possibility of negotiations moving forward. The US President said Washington was currently engaged in discussions with Tehran and that the United States had put forward a peace proposal.

Also Read: US offers 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran, check what’s on the table

Trump also said the US had received what he described as a significant gesture related to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply moves.

Iran later indicated it would permit safe passage for “non-hostile vessels” through the strait, with the message relayed through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), as per AFP.