18 May 2026

THE United States has refused to offer “tangible” concessions following Iran’s latest peace proposal, according to Iranian media reports on Sunday.

Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that the US has put forward “maximalist” conditions in response to Tehran’s latest peace proposal.

Mehr also reported that Iran will only continue talks with the US if Washington takes trust-building steps, including ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon, lifting sanctions, releasing Iranian frozen assets, paying reparations for war damages and recognising Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

The news agency said the response of the US to Iran’s proposal via the Pakistani mediator on May 10, was to demand “maximalist” terms and to reject any reparations or asset releases, and to insist that Iran transfer its entire enriched uranium stockpile to the US.

According to the report, the US also demanded long-term restrictions on Iran’s nuclear sector, and has tied any halt to fighting to the start of negotiations.

In a social media post on Friday, Iranian newspaper Tehran Times said the US has rejected Iran’s 14-point peace proposal, once again reiterating its “coercive stance, particularly regarding the nuclear issue.”

Iran, the US and Israel reached a ceasefire on April 8 after 40 days of fighting that began when the US and Israel launched an illegal and unprovoked attack on Tehran and other Iranian cities on February 28.

Following the truce, Iranian and US delegations held one round of peace talks in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which failed to reach an agreement.

Over the past weeks, the two sides have reportedly exchanged several proposed plans through Pakistani mediators outlining conditions for ending the conflict.

Amid the diplomatic deadlock, drone incidents damaging infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have heightened regional tensions.

A drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the ​United Arab Emirates, officials there said on Sunday. Emirati officials say they were investigating the source of the attack, which they say represents a “dangerous escalation.”

Saudi Arabia also reported that it had intercepted three drones.

Riyadh said the three intercepted drones entered from Iraqi airspace and warned that it would take the necessary operational measures to respond to ​any attempt to violate its sovereignty and security.

US President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that Iran must act “fast” to reach an agreement to end the war.