Iran has sharply pushed back against a reported U.S.-backed framework to end the ongoing conflict, dismissing key elements as unrealistic and politically motivated, in a sign that prospects for a near-term diplomatic breakthrough remain uncertain.
A senior Iranian lawmaker, Ebrahim Rezaei, told Reuters on Wednesday that the outline of a proposed memorandum first reported by Axioswas “more of an American wish list than a reality.”
Rezaei, who serves as spokesperson for Iran’s parliament committee on foreign policy and national security, argued that Washington is unlikely to extract concessions through pressure tactics that it has failed to secure through direct negotiations.
Iran’s Deal Rebuttal
His remarks underscore Tehran’s continued resistance to what it perceives as maximalist U.S. demands, particularly on its nuclear program—an issue rooted in longstanding tensions following the collapse of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Shortly after Rezaei’s comments, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reinforced the government’s position, citing an unnamed source who said Tehran has yet to formally respond to the proposal. The source described several provisions as “unacceptable” and warned that the use of threatening rhetoric by Washington could further complicate an already fragile diplomatic environment.
The report also suggested that U.S. media narratives around the deal may be aimed at justifying policy decisions linked to Project Freedom, a controversial initiative reportedly paused by Donald Trump.
Proposed Conditions
According to the Axios report, which cited multiple U.S. officials and sources familiar with the discussions, the proposed one-page memorandum would formally declare an end to hostilities and initiate a 30-day negotiation window aimed at securing a broader agreement.
The framework includes several contentious provisions:
A long-term moratorium on Iran’s uranium enrichment program, with the U.S. pushing for up to 20 years, while Iran has reportedly countered with five years. Compromise discussions are said to be in the 12–15 year range.
Immediate, snap inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities under international oversight.
The removal of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium from its territory—a longstanding U.S. demand that Tehran has consistently rejected as a red line.
A phased rollback of U.S. sanctions alongside the unfreezing of Iranian financial assets held abroad.
Gradual de-escalation of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, during the negotiation period.
Despite the structured outline, skepticism persists within the U.S. administration. The White House indicated that divisions within Iran’s leadership may complicate consensus, while some American officials doubt whether Iran is willing to accept the level of nuclear constraints being proposed.
