U.S. Reportedly Offers Iran 15-Point Peace Plan to End War

The United States has delivered a 15-point plan to Iran aimed at ending the Middle East war, transmitted through Pakistan, whose army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has emerged as the primary interlocutor between Washington and Tehran, the New York Times reported, citing two officials briefed on the diplomacy. The plan addresses Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs as well as maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed to most Western shipping since the conflict began Feb. 28, disrupting global oil and gas supply and driving prices higher. It remains unclear whether Iran will accept the plan as a basis for negotiations, whether Israel — which has been conducting joint strikes with the U.S. — endorsed the proposal, or who holds decision-making authority in Tehran following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the war's first day. The White House confirmed diplomacy was underway but said "Operation Epic Fury continues unabated." Iran still holds 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. Israeli officials say the war is likely to continue for weeks.