Between deterrence, refusal to negotiate: Tehran confronts Washington with reality of “field defeat”
SANAA, March 26 (YPA) – In the midst of the military confrontation between Iran on one side and the United States and “Israel” on the other, field and political shifts are accelerating in a manner that reflects a clear redrawing of the balance of power.
Iran is emerging as a party holding the initiative, combining calculated military escalation with adherence to strict political conditions. Conversely, the United States appears to be searching for exits, with an increasing trend toward activating diplomatic channels following the failure of bets on a military resolution.
In this context, high-ranking official sources in Pakistan revealed that Islamabad conveyed to Tehran an integrated 15-point U.S. proposal aimed at halting military operations whose repercussions have extended across multiple arenas.
Despite being circulated via backchannels, the presentation of these initiatives reflects what is viewed as a significant military failure by the United States and “Israel” and an attempt to achieve results through negotiations.
In response, Tehran maintains its firm stance. On Wednesday, Press TV quoted a high-ranking political security official stating that Iran will be the one to determine the end and timing of the war according to its own conditions, rejecting any attempts by the United States or U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a timeline.
According to the official, the U.S. proposals included “ambitions” inconsistent with the reality of Washington’s “field defeat,” viewing them merely as an attempt to re-escalate tensions, as occurred in previous rounds. The official confirmed that Tehran rejected the latest proposal, emphasizing its readiness to continue its defense and deliver powerful strikes until its specific conditions are met.
These conditions include:
- A complete halt to aggression and assassinations.
- Guarantees against the recurrence of war.
- The payment of war reparations and fines.
- The conclusion of hostilities on all fronts, including those involving regional resistance factions.
- Recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz as a natural and legal right.
These conditions indicate that Iran links any future negotiation or de-escalation process to the imposition of its own equation, granting it a strategic advantage in shaping the course of regional events.
Furthermore, Iran is reinforcing its political stance with messages from the field. A military source told Tasnim News Agency on Wednesday that combat readiness is at a high level, stressing that “enemy movements” are under close surveillance. The source added that the Iranian response would not be limited to a single theater but could involve the sudden opening of new fronts, which would multiply the losses for the opposing side.
The source also pointed to the possibility of expanding the confrontation to include the Bab al-Mandab Strait, asserting that Iran possesses the capability and will to create an actual threat in this strategic waterway should pressure continue or any hostile action occur in or around the Strait of Hormuz.
Additionally, the source issued a direct warning to the United States against “uncalculated military steps,” cautioning that any American escalation could open additional fronts and complicate the situation rather than contain it.
In a notable development, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, warned of U.S. plans to occupy an Iranian island with the assistance of a regional state. He emphasized that any move of this nature would be met with an extensive response, including the targeting of that state’s infrastructure.
For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed the commitment to continued resistance and national defense, stating that there is currently no intention to negotiate.
These statements reflect a raising of the deterrence ceiling and an expansion of the rules of engagement, confirming Iran’s full readiness to intensify the confrontation if necessary.
YPA