Bombings continue amid uncertainty over peace plans with Iran

2026-03-26 13:26:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

As uncertainty surrounding indirect talks between Washington and Tehran grows, bombings against Iran, Israel and surrounding states are continuing simultaneously on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon, without acknowledging media reports of shortages, said it has reached agreements with several American defense contractors to increase ammunition stocks, including parts for the THAAD air defense missile system, which is being used extensively in the war in the Middle East.

At the same time, the White House said that US President Donald Trump is ready to make Iran's "life hell" if it does not accept his deal to end the war.

But Tehran said it has no intention of talking.

Speaking to Republican lawmakers late Wednesday, Trump insisted that Tehran is participating in peace talks, despite denying it.

"They're negotiating, by the way, and they really want to make a deal. But they're afraid to say it because they think they'll be killed by their own people," Trump said.

Meanwhile, an ultimatum issued by Trump to Iran to “fully open” the Strait of Hormuz is looming. Trump set a 48-hour deadline on March 21, but the next day extended it by five days.

Details of the latest US peace proposal, reported by media citing anonymous sources on March 24 and delivered to Iran via Pakistan, have not been disclosed.

However, the terms are believed to be in many ways similar to proposals made before the conflict began with Israeli and US airstrikes on February 28.

No nuclear weapons

The most important US demand is one that Trump has repeatedly said. He says Tehran has agreed to it.

“They want to make a deal,” Trump told reporters on March 24. “They have agreed that they will never develop nuclear weapons.”

Iran's response, delivered on state television on March 25, was that the US conditions were excessive and that Tehran would end the war when it decided on its own and if its conditions were met.

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi hinted that senior officials were considering the American proposals, indicating that so far Iran has not fully objected.

The United States "has presented ideas in its messages conveyed to the [Iranian] high authorities, and if necessary, they will give a position," Araqchi said.

He rejected the idea that Iran has been defeated, emphasizing that the US administration has not achieved its goals in the war.

Iran's conditions include a cessation of hostilities on all regional fronts and against all "resistance groups," referring to the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is supported by Tehran.

Tehran also seeks international recognition and guarantees for Iran's rights to exercise sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

"At this time, our policy is to continue the resistance," he said, adding: "We do not intend to negotiate."

Officially, the White House did not comment on media reports about the details of the proposed peace plan.

White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said she had seen reports of a 15-point plan. “The White House has never confirmed that full plan,” she said.

However, she stressed that diplomatic contacts continue. "They are fruitful, as the president said on [March 23], and they continue to be."

This exchange of statements came as additional American forces - including the elite 82nd Airborne Division - are reportedly headed to the Middle East to reinforce the American presence and give American political and military leaders additional options.

On the battlefront, violence continues and, in addition to Iran and Israel, targets in Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia were hit.

Amid reports of shortages of weapons in the Iranian military and civilian sectors, the Financial Times reported that Russia is close to completing a shipment of drones, medicine and food to Iran.

The newspaper cited Western intelligence data describing the Kremlin's efforts to keep its ally afloat.

Shipments are said to have begun earlier this month and are expected to arrive within a few days.

Bombings in Tehran

Israel said it struck in the heart of the capital, Tehran, and targeted a submarine development facility in the central city of Isfahan.

AFP quoted witnesses inside Tehran as saying: "There is petrol, water and electricity. But there is a feeling of helplessness among all of us. We don't know what to do and in fact we can't do anything."

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country's forces were expanding a "security zone" in southern Lebanon as the military continues its campaign against Hezbollah.

"We have created a real security zone that prevents any infiltration towards the Galilee and the northern border," Netanyahu said.

When asked if Israel had changed its military efforts after Trump said peace talks were underway, he replied that "almost nothing has changed."

Amidst all this, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the war had spiraled "out of control."

He said he has appointed a special envoy to work towards ending the conflict, French diplomat Jean Arnault./ Rel