18 May 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
THE United States has refused to offer \u201ctangible\u201d concessions following Iran\u2019s latest peace proposal, according to Iranian media reports on\u00a0Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran\u2019s Mehr news agency reported that the US has put forward \u201cmaximalist\u201d conditions in response to Tehran\u2019s latest peace proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The news agency said the response of the US to Iran\u2019s proposal via the Pakistani mediator on May 10, was to demand \u201cmaximalist\u201d terms and to reject any reparations or asset releases, and to insist that Iran transfer its entire enriched uranium stockpile to the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the report, the US also demanded long-term restrictions on Iran\u2019s nuclear sector, and has tied any halt to fighting to the start of negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a social media post on Friday, Iranian newspaper Tehran Times said the US has rejected Iran\u2019s 14-point peace proposal, once again reiterating its \u201ccoercive stance, particularly regarding the nuclear issue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the truce, Iranian and US delegations held one round of peace talks in Pakistan\u2019s capital Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which failed to reach an agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the past weeks, the two sides have reportedly exchanged several proposed plans through Pakistani mediators outlining conditions for ending the conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amid the diplomatic deadlock, drone incidents damaging infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have heightened regional tensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the \u200bUnited Arab Emirates, officials there said on Sunday. Emirati officials say they were investigating the source of the attack, which they say represents a \u201cdangerous escalation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saudi Arabia also reported that it had intercepted three drones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Riyadh said the three intercepted drones entered from Iraqi airspace and warned that it would take the necessary operational measures to respond to \u200bany attempt to violate its sovereignty and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
US President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that Iran must act \u201cfast\u201d to reach an agreement to end the war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n