World March 27, 2026

Iran Signals Written Reply to U.S. Peace Offer Is Expected Friday

Tehran said senior officials found the proposal aligned with U.S. and Israeli interests but indicated diplomacy remains open

By Hana Yamamoto
Iran Signals Written Reply to U.S. Peace Offer Is Expected Friday

A source briefed on discussions said Iran is expected to deliver a written counter-proposal on Friday in response to a 15-point U.S. peace plan. The plan, routed via Pakistan, contained demands ranging from dismantling Iran's nuclear program to curbs on its missile work and control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have reviewed the proposal and judged it to primarily serve U.S. and Israeli interests, though they said diplomatic channels have not closed.

Key Points

  • Iran is expected to deliver a written reply on Friday to a 15-point U.S. peace proposal communicated via Pakistan - sectors impacted: diplomacy, defense, energy.
  • The 15-point proposal included demands such as dismantling Iran's nuclear program, curbing missile development, and effectively handing over control of the Strait of Hormuz - sectors impacted: energy, shipping, defense.
  • Iranian senior officials reviewed the proposal and judged it to primarily serve U.S. and Israeli interests, though Tehran said diplomatic channels remain open - sectors impacted: international relations, markets sensitive to geopolitical risk.

WASHINGTON, March 27 - Iran is anticipated to provide its response later on Friday to a U.S. peace proposal intended to halt the war in the Middle East, according to a source briefed on the matter. Intermediaries have informed U.S. President Donald Trump and senior White House officials that Iran's counter-proposal would likely arrive on Friday, the source said.

The conflict began when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28 and has since spread across the Middle East, the source added.

Tehran had been examining a 15-point offer that was transmitted via Pakistan. The document contained a range of demands, including the dismantling of Iran's nuclear program, restrictions on its missile development, and measures that would effectively hand over control of the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports and accounts from those familiar with the matter.

An Iranian official said on Thursday that senior figures in Tehran had reviewed the proposal and concluded it appeared to advance only U.S. and Israeli objectives. The same official, however, stated that diplomatic engagement had not ended.


Context and process

According to the briefing, the expectation of a Friday reply was communicated to the highest levels of the U.S. administration through intermediaries. The 15-point text arrived via Pakistan and prompted internal review within Iran's senior leadership. While the official assessment characterized the proposals as serving external interests, Iranian authorities have not excluded further diplomatic exchanges.

Next steps

If Iran submits a formal counter-proposal later on Friday, interlocutors and policymakers on both sides will be able to evaluate its contents against the original set of demands. The immediate diplomatic posture remains uncertain, with officials signaling both skepticism about the offer's balance and a willingness to continue talks.


Summary

Iran is expected to send a response on Friday to a 15-point U.S. peace proposal relayed via Pakistan. The proposal includes demands on Iran's nuclear and missile programs and the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian senior officials said the plan appeared to favor U.S. and Israeli interests but indicated diplomacy had not ended.

Risks

  • Uncertainty about whether Iran's counter-proposal will bridge differences leaves continued diplomatic risk - markets tied to geopolitics and defense spending could be affected.
  • The proposal's demands concerning the Strait of Hormuz and military capabilities introduce potential disruption risks for energy and shipping sectors if tensions persist.
  • If Iran and its interlocutors cannot find common ground, the existing conflict that began on February 28 and has spread across the region may continue to drive volatility in regional security and global markets.

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