Tehran Prepares Counter-Nuclear Proposal, Washington Threatens Military Option During 15-Day Deadline

Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, revealed his country's intention to submit a draft counter-proposal to the American administration in the coming days, following a round of intensive nuclear talks hosted in Geneva last week. These diplomatic moves come at a sensitive time when the relationship between the two countries is experiencing escalating tension, as both sides seek to define the contours of a new agreement to end the current crisis.

In contrast, US President Donald Trump issued firm statements, indicating that he is seriously considering options for launching limited military attacks against Iranian targets to pressure Tehran. Trump clarified in his remarks to reporters at the White House that the military option is on the table, emphasizing the necessity for the Iranian leadership to negotiate an agreement he describes as fair and appropriate for American interests.

Informed sources reported that military planning in the US Department of Defense has reached very advanced stages, with scenarios including targeting key figures and vital facilities. The sources added that orders might extend to include working towards regime change in Tehran if President Trump issues a final decision on the matter, reflecting the seriousness of current American threats.

Trump had set a strict deadline for the Iranian side, ranging from only 10 to 15 days, to reach a final agreement formula, warning of consequences he described as 'very bad.' These threats coincide with widespread American military reinforcements in the Middle East, raising international concerns about the region sliding into a comprehensive confrontation.

For his part, Araghchi explained that the indirect talks held in Geneva with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner led to initial understandings on guiding principles. Despite this progress, the Iranian minister affirmed that reaching a final agreement still requires more time and review by senior officials in Tehran before submitting an official response.

In a media interview, the Iranian minister indicated that the counter-proposal might be ready within two or three days, with the possibility of holding a new round of talks within a week. Araghchi stressed that brandishing the military option will not contribute to resolving the crisis, but rather will complicate the diplomatic path that has recently begun to show slight breakthroughs.

President Trump linked his current pressures to the human rights file in Iran, referring to the suppression of recent popular protests as an additional motive to tighten the American stance. Trump claimed that the number of deaths in those protests reached 32,000 people, a figure he considered evidence of the need to change the approach taken with the current Iranian leadership.

In a related context, Trump claimed that his direct military threats succeeded in stopping the execution of mass death sentences that were scheduled two weeks prior, as he alleged he informed Tehran of an immediate strike if any execution was carried out. He explained that there is a fundamental difference in his administration's treatment between the Iranian people, whom he described as victims, and the ruling regime that practices oppression.

The Iranian Foreign Minister responded to these figures by publishing what he described as a 'comprehensive list' of protest victims, confirming that the actual number was only 3,117 deaths. Araghchi challenged those skeptical of official Iranian data to provide concrete evidence to the contrary, considering that exaggerating the numbers falls within the psychological warfare practiced by Washington.

On the technical side of the negotiations, Araghchi confirmed that Washington did not request a complete halt to uranium enrichment during the Geneva talks, nor did Tehran offer it. He explained that the discussion currently focuses on establishing technical and political guarantees to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program forever, in exchange for concrete measures to lift economic sanctions.

In contrast, the White House's response on this point was decisive, with its spokesperson affirming that President Trump will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons or even the capability to manufacture them. The American statement emphasized that the administration's firm position is to prevent Iran from enriching uranium, which represents a fundamental point of contention that could hinder reaching a quick agreement.

The United Nations entered the crisis, with its spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressing the international organization's concern about the escalating tone of military threats in the region. The international organization urged both the United States and Iran to exercise restraint and adhere to the diplomatic path as the only way to resolve deep differences and avoid a regional catastrophe.

Observers believe that the coming days will be crucial in determining the course of relations between Washington and Tehran, especially with the approaching end of the deadline set by Trump. Either the Iranian counter-proposal succeeds in opening a breach in the wall of the crisis, or the region will face military scenarios that could reshape the political map in the Middle East.

American military reinforcements continue to flow into bases near Iran, in a clear message that the military option is not just a verbal threat. At the same time, world capitals await the results of the Iranian review of the proposals, amidst slim hopes that diplomacy will succeed in defusing an imminent explosion that could affect energy markets and global security.

The military option will only complicate efforts to reach an agreement, and we are in the process of preparing a draft counter-proposal within days.