Iran-US Ceasefire Talks in Jeopardy, Fighting Escalates

0:00On March 25, Iranian officials rejected a new 15-point U.S. ceasefire proposal for the ongoing war, calling it overly demanding and one-sided. The plan, which includes curves on Iran's missile program and regional allies, echoes old sticking points from pre-war talks. Even so, mediators hint at possible direct U.S. Iran discussions, starting as soon as Friday in Pakistan or Turkey. Iran claims his team, including Jared Kushner and others, is already talking to someone in Iran's government about a one-month truce. But Iranian foreign ministry and military spokespeople deny any such contacts, pointing to passport trails like U.S. strikes on their nuclear sites. During earlier talks, skepticism runs deep in Tehan after attacks killed key leaders, including more moderate voices and amid threats to negotiators. But domestically, pressure mounts on Trump as Iranian strikes on Gulf oil facilities and the strait of Hormuz blockade drive of global energy prices.

1:00Those stocks dipped on ceasefire hopes. Israel, surprised by the plan, pushes to keep fighting and weaken the regime. Fighting rages on, with Israel hitting Tehan and Iranian sites, while Iran fires missiles at Israel and drones at Saudi oil zones. Hezbollah clashes continue in Lebanon, where Israeli advances claim towns amid civilian strikes that draw war crime warnings. Casualties mount with over 1,500 dead in Iran, 1,094 in Lebanon, and smaller tolls in Israel and among U.S. forces. As U.S. troops pour in, 1,000 from the 82nd airborne, 5,000 Marines diplomacy hangs by a thread against rising military pressure.