Conflicting signals from Iran about response to U.S. peace proposal - Middle East conflict on 25 March

Conflicting messages emerged from Iran about its response to a U.S. peace offer reportedly delivered to it by Pakistan on Wednesday (25 March). Meanwhile, Tehran's government unveiled its own counterproposal to end the conflict.

Response to U.S. peace plan remains unclear 

Unnamed Iranian sources gave conflicting statements to the media about a 15-point U.S. peace plan that was reportedly delivered to Iran by Pakistan. While an unnamed Iranian official told Iranian state media that Iran had rejected the U.S. proposition, another unidentified official later told Reuters that the proposal was still under review.

Both unnamed sources indicated that Tehran’s opinion of the U.S. proposal wasn’t "positive." Pakistani sources said that Iran had yet to formally reply to Washington’s proposal. 

Meanwhile, Iran presented its own proposition for ending the conflict, which included a complete halt to what it called “aggression and assassinations” and payment of compensation.

• Iran rejects U.S. ceasefire plan, sets own conditions for ending war

Gulf states demand action from Iraq 

Five Gulf states and Jordan demanded that the Iraqi government take action to stop Iran-aligned militias within the country from carrying out attacks on neighbouring states, in a joint statement on Wednesday.

The six countries said the attacks were a "blatant violation" of international law, adding that they reserved the right to respond in "self-defence" to the assaults. 

The statement, signed by Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also condemned the activities of "Iran-alligned sleeper cells" within the region, mentioning Hezbollah. 

In another sign of Iraq's entanglement in the conflict, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia-al Sudani summoned the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Baghdad over attacks on Iraqi military units. 

European leaders express contrasting views on energy crisis 

France’s Finance Minister Roland Lescere struck a cautiously optimistic note about the country’s energy situation, amid the shortfall of oil and gas triggered by the Middle East conflict. 

After a cabinet meeting, Lescere said that France was “better prepared” and “less exposed” than European neighbours.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sounded less positive, saying that the government was unable to "offset every price" rise connected to the Iran conflict in Europe’s largest economy. 

Bahrain and Kuwait extent airspace closure 

The travel ban in the two Gulf states entered its 26th consecutive day, due to the Middle East conflict. Transit of aircraft to third countries is also prohibited in the airspace of the two countries. Bahrain allows special flights from Manama Airport to neighboring Saudi Arabia along the shortest corridor.

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