We have an ultimatum and a peace proposal regarding the Iranian issue, but with a startling detail. In the history of warfare, the ultimatum is always given by the victor, and here the ultimatum was delivered by Iran, which endured and launched a counter-offensive. The US, self-portraying as the winner, proposes a 15-point peace plan that resembles a farce more than a serious diplomatic overture.
The farcical proposal
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Iran must dismantle its nuclear capabilities. This proposal is rejected by Iran.
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Iran must commit to never seeking nuclear weapons. There is already a fatwa—a religious decree—by Khamenei prohibiting nuclear weapons in Iran regardless.
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No uranium enrichment will take place on Iranian soil. This proposal is rejected by Iran.
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Iran must hand over its stockpile of approximately 450 kg of 60% enriched uranium to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on an agreed schedule. This proposal is rejected by Iran.
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Nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow must be dismantled. This proposal is rejected by Iran.
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The IAEA must have full access, transparency, and oversight within Iran. This proposal is rejected by Iran.
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Iran must abandon its regional doctrine of supporting "proxies." This proposal is rejected by Iran.
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Iran must stop the funding, direction, and arming of its regional allies and armed groups.
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The Strait of Hormuz must remain open and function as a free maritime corridor. Iran demands three conditions be met before opening the Hormuz.
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The Iranian missile program must be restricted in both range and quantity, with specific limits to be determined at a later stage. This proposal is categorically rejected by Iran.
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Any future use of missiles will be limited strictly to self-defense purposes. This proposal is categorically rejected by Iran.
Concessions offered to Iran:
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Full lifting of sanctions imposed by the international community.
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[sic] Support from the US for the development of a peaceful nuclear program, including power generation at the Bushehr nuclear plant. This proposal is rejected by Iran.
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Abolition of the snapback mechanism, which allows for the automatic reinstatement of sanctions in case of non-compliance.
Iran's harsh ultimatum
Iran and the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) issued a counter-ultimatum:
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Immediate withdrawal of the US and Israel from the region.
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Removal of all US military bases from the Persian Gulf.
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US compensation to Iran for all damages incurred.
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Lifting of all US sanctions.
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US guarantees for regional peace. This 5-point ultimatum was delivered to the United States following the US-Israeli invasion. Does it sound too bold? Will the Americans ever agree to this?
Associated Press: Iran has received the US 15-point proposal
Iran has received the US 15-point proposal to resolve the crisis, according to the Associated Press. Agency sources in Pakistan clarified that the plan includes:
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Lifting of sanctions against Iran
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Cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy
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Scaling back the Iranian nuclear program
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IAEA inspection of Iranian facilities
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Ensuring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz
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Restrictions on the missile program The American side reported contacts via mediators, including Pakistan, though Tehran categorically denies US claims of productive negotiations.
Dramatic losses
US losses in Iran have already far exceeded typical damage levels. Direct American war spending has reached over $1 billion per day. Meanwhile, highly-touted American equipment and weaponry have proven inferior in real combat conditions, appearing as easy targets or mediocre junk.
F-35s, F-16s, and everything moving is falling
The US and Israeli attackers failed to achieve total air superiority. Iran successfully counter-attacked using its air defenses. In the early days, three F-16 fighters were forced to withdraw due to damage. Soon, the Iranians shot down a refueling tanker in mid-air, killing the entire crew, and subsequently hit the newest F-35 fighter, which the Americans advertised as "invisible." Apparently, the stealth did not work this time.
The American fleet humiliated
Simultaneously, the US Navy lost the use of two aircraft carriers. A fire broke out on one for unknown reasons. On the other—forgive the detail—the toilets broke down. The Americans are not revealing what happened. Was the fire caused by an IRGC missile strike (as the Iranians claim), or did someone drop a cigarette in a bin? Was the sewage failure sabotage or a suicide attack?
Abraham Lincoln and Gerald Ford fled: They were simply cumbersome and useless
In any case, both the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald Ford quickly left the combat zone. To put it simply, they fled. They proved that legendary aircraft carriers had become floating targets—expensive, cumbersome, and entirely useless in modern warfare.
Losses reached 500 Americans in a few days... They don't want to die for Israel
Regarding human casualties, Iranian estimates claim over 500 US soldiers were killed in the first days of the invasion, while the Pentagon estimates only 13 (plus 232 wounded). Even this level of loss is unacceptable for the US military, which is not accustomed to such pushback. Typical American aggression is usually a one-sided affair. The invasion of Libya? Tens of thousands dead, not a single American killed. The bombing of Yugoslavia? The same. It is no wonder that American officers are suddenly resigning, stating they do not want to "die for Israel."
Sending 2,500 Marines to a pointless death
Approximately 2,500 US Marines are currently sailing toward the conflict zone. Wherever the Pentagon generals throw them—be it Kharg Island or the Iranian mountains—they will likely die a pointless death.
Iran's ultimatum makes sense: flee or surrender
In this light, Iran's ultimatum takes on new meaning. The Iranians have every reason to believe they will outlast the Americans, forcing the hegemon to either flee or negotiate and pay reparations. America today lacks the resources and technology for this type of modern war. The White House senses a trap, leading to administrative hesitation. One moment the US President demands the Hormuz be cleared in two days, the next he offers a "respite" and claims secret negotiations are ongoing.
Americans are at a dead end
This is not a strategy, but clear panic while looking for an "exit" door that does not exist. A ground operation would lead to catastrophic US casualties and bury the current administration. Neither the Democrats nor anti-war factions would forgive Trump for such a move.
...there is also the solution of retreat
The alternative to a ground war is either a retreat, disguised as a "mission accomplished" announcement, or negotiations on Iran's terms. This means fulfilling the Iranian ultimatum. "It is ironic that Iran is in a stronger negotiating position now than before the US-Israeli aggression began. It has survived the worst. It has nothing left to lose," notes the British newspaper The Guardian. The courage and unity of the Iranian people command respect.
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