CRITICALDIPLOMATIC

Iran counter-proposal to US delayed by strikes on nuclear/industrial sites — expected today or tomorrow

2026-03-27 · 15:50 UTC·Tehran, Iran / Washington DC

A senior Iranian official said US attacks on Iran while simultaneously calling for talks are 'intolerable,' and that Tehran has not yet decided whether to respond to the US proposal 'due to attacks on industrial and nuclear infrastructure.' However, Iran's response is expected 'today or tomorrow.' The statement signals the Arak reactor + Ardakan yellowcake + steel factory strikes have complicated but not halted Iran's diplomatic response process.

A source briefed on the matter told the Times of Israel on 27 March 2026 that Iran's response to a US proposal aimed at ending the war in the Middle East is expected later that day. US President Donald Trump and top White House officials have been told via interlocutors that Iran's counter-proposal will likely arrive today. The development comes after: German FM Wadephul disclosed that US-Iran direct talks are being prepared 'very soon in Pakistan'; Pakistan FM Dar confirmed the US 15-point plan was transmitted to Iran; Iran sent a formal counter-response through Pakistani intermediaries; Witkoff described 'strong signs' Iran will accept a deal; and Trump extended the April 6 deadline at Iran's request. If the counter-proposal arrives today, it would mark the first tangible response document from Tehran to the US framework — the most concrete diplomatic progress of the 28-day conflict.

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Actor responses

IranNEUTRALDIPLOMATIC

Source: Iran's counter-proposal to the US war-ending framework is expected to arrive today via interlocutors. Iran has previously denied 'negotiations' while simultaneously transmitting responses through Pakistan and requesting the April 6 deadline extension.

United StatesNEUTRALDIPLOMATIC

Trump and White House officials have been told via interlocutors that Iran's counter-proposal will likely arrive today. Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner are leading the talks. A senior US official previously said: 'If Iranians can't strike a deal with Vance, they don't get a deal.'

Israel Defense ForcesNEUTRALDIPLOMATIC

Israel has not commented on the expected Iranian counter-proposal. The IDF is simultaneously launching extensive strikes on three areas of Iran and the Arak reactor — military pressure and diplomatic engagement running in parallel, consistent with the Trump administration's stated approach.

Sources

T1Source briefed on matter / Times of Israel Liveblog7% reliability