“NEGOTIATING WITH YOURSELF”: Iran’s Military Mocks U.S. Ceasefire Proposal
TEHRAN / ISLAMABAD — In a blistering response to the Trump administration’s 15-point peace plan, the Iranian military has dismissed the proposal as a “delusional” internal American exercise. In a pre-recorded video aired on state television on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters—which coordinates the Army and the IRGC—issued a direct challenge to Washington’s narrative of progress.
The statement effectively kills the immediate optimism that had briefly lowered global oil prices earlier today.
“Don’t Dress Up Your Defeat”
Zolfaghari’s remarks were aimed at President Donald Trump’s claims that “productive” negotiations are underway and that Tehran is “eager” for a deal.
Key Quotes from the Military Command:
- Internal Delusion: “Have your internal conflicts reached the point where you are negotiating with yourselves? The one claiming to be a global superpower would have already gotten out of this mess if it could.”
- The “Defeat” Narrative: “Do not call your defeat an agreement. Your era of empty promises has come to an end.”
- No Reconciliation: “People like us can never get along with people like you.”
- Regional Reality: Zolfaghari asserted that U.S. investments and pre-war energy prices will not return until Washington accepts that “regional stability is guaranteed by Iranian armed forces.”
The “Zero-Trust” Barrier (March 25, 2026)
The military’s hardline stance reflects a deep-seated suspicion of the U.S. negotiating team, particularly after reports surfaced that Iran feels “tricked” by previous diplomatic engagements.
| Iranian Body | Stance on 15-Point Plan |
| Khatam-al Anbiya HQ | Rejection; labels it an “American internal conflict.” |
| Parliament (Ghalibaf) | Denies any direct talks are taking place. |
| Foreign Ministry | Acknowledges “indirect messages” via Pakistan but demands full sanctions relief first. |
| IRGC Command | Launched the “80th wave” of strikes today against U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. |
Escalation Amidst the “Offer”
Despite the delivery of the 15-point plan by Pakistani intermediaries, the kinetic war has only intensified:
- Kuwait Airport: An Iranian drone strike hit a fuel tank this morning, causing significant fires.
- Caspian Strike: Israel targeted the Russia-Iran supply line in the Caspian Sea late Tuesday.
- U.S. Deployment: The Pentagon is readying 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division for deployment, a move Zolfaghari mocked as a sign of U.S. desperation.
What’s Next?
The Iranian military’s “negotiating with yourself” taunt puts enormous pressure on the Thursday summit in Islamabad. If the civilian leadership in Tehran (led by Abbas Araghchi) attempts to attend, they will do so under the shadow of a military establishment that appears committed to a “victory or nothing” strategy.
With the Friday, March 27 deadline just 48 hours away, the likelihood of a “total infrastructure phase” of the war has surged. President Trump’s “tactical pause” is now under extreme strain as both sides continue to exchange high-impact strikes.