Iran has fired back at a US peace proposal with a counterproposal of its own, and the demands are steep: a permanent ceasefire, full sanctions relief, withdrawal of US troops, and security guarantees. The proposal, mediated by Pakistan and delivered in early May, also insists on Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz and a continuation of negotiations through written exchanges rather than direct talks.

What Iran is actually asking for

Tehran’s counterproposal came in response to a reported US 15-point peace plan, itself a product of the escalating conflict that followed US-Israel strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran is offering a 60-day ceasefire, but only if sanctions relief comes with it. And crucially,…